Turns out that it was a complete coincidence. Both rear springs have broken. Pothole damage, says the garage, they've replaced 30 sets on various cars in the last two months, and often the damage only shows up during the MOT. (Not our fault, the council says, local authority budget cuts and all that....)
Still, the good news is that springs are only £90 a pair and take about an hour to fit. Could have been worse.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
BJ