If your car seems to be a bit bouncy or not handling correctly it could be an issue with your shock absorbers. Shock absorbers often only fail an MOT when they are worn excessively or they are leaking, but even if they pass they may still need to be replaced.
A simple test to see if your shock absorbers are going is to push down on each corner of the car and see how quickly it stops bouncing. It should only go up and down once or twice, if after this it is still bouncing then the likelihood is it will need new shocks.
If you can buy the shock absorbers yourself and get someone to fit them you may be able to save a chunk compared to taking it to a garage, especially to a main dealer who is likely to charge you in excess of £250 for a pair.
Shock absorbers can affect the driving and handing of a vehicle and make it unsafe so it is important to get them fixed as soon as possible.