Why Is the Passenger Side Higher Than the Driver Side: Common Causes & Fixes

Key Takeaways

• Driver-side components and regular use compress the suspension more quickly, making the passenger side appear higher over time.
• Uneven height can be caused by worn suspension parts, past repairs, or factory tolerances, not just tyre issues.
• You can measure ride height accurately by checking from the ground to the wheel arch on level ground with equal tyre pressure.
• If there’s more than a 10–15mm difference or the car leans while driving, it’s worth checking with a mechanic.
• Ordiniq’s AutoPump helps you quickly rule out tyre pressure issues—it’s a smart, portable tool every driver should keep in the boot.

Why Does Your Car Sit Higher on the Passenger Side?

In most cases, your car sits higher on the passenger side simply because the driver's side bears more load more often.

Think about it, the driver’s seat is occupied nearly 100% of the time, and even moderate body weight adds to the wear on the driver-side suspension over time. If you regularly carry items in the boot or back seat, especially on the left side, this adds even more pressure.

In short, constant use and weight compress the driver-side springs, which can make that side appear lower than the passenger side, especially if your car’s suspension is ageing or unevenly worn.

What Causes Uneven Vehicle Height?

Let’s break down some of the most common reasons the passenger side might appear higher than the driver’s side.

1. Uneven Weight Distribution

The driver’s seat is used every time the car is driven, while the passenger side is often empty. This constant weight on one side causes slightly more wear on the suspension over time.

Additionally, key vehicle components like the battery, steering column, and fuel tank are often mounted closer to the driver’s side. This creates a natural imbalance in weight, which can lead to that side sitting slightly lower, especially if the suspension is ageing.

2. Worn or Sagging Suspension

Even a small difference in spring tension can cause one side of the car to sit visibly higher.

Suspension components like coil springs, shock absorbers, and struts can wear out over time. When this happens unevenly, often more on the driver’s side, it leads to noticeable vehicle lean.

This wear is often gradual and may go unnoticed until the lean becomes visible. Driving on poor roads, carrying uneven loads, or general wear and tear are all contributing factors. Replacing only one side of the suspension can also cause imbalance, as the new part may sit higher than the old one.

3. Previous Repairs or Accidents

A vehicle that has undergone previous suspension work or repairs after an accident may not be perfectly balanced if the work wasn’t done to manufacturer specifications.

Using aftermarket or mismatched parts or neglecting to align the frame properly can result in one side of the car sitting slightly higher or lower. Even a minor collision can subtly bend parts of the suspension or subframe, affecting the vehicle’s stance.

4. Incorrect Tyre Pressure or Tyre Size

A common yet overlooked cause is uneven tyre pressure. If one tyre—often the front or rear left—is underinflated, it will sit lower and give the impression that one side of the car is leaning.

Also, using different tyre sizes or tread types can cause an imbalance. Always ensure that tyres are evenly inflated and matched in size, type, and wear level across both sides of the vehicle.

5. Factory Tolerances

Sometimes, the issue isn’t a fault, it’s just the way the car was built. Manufacturers allow for small variations in suspension height, and some vehicles are designed with a slight lean from the factory.

This is especially true for vehicles originally designed for left-hand drive (LHD) markets and later converted to right-hand drive (RHD). The suspension and chassis geometry may not be fully rebalanced, resulting in a small but visible difference in ride height.

How to Check the Height Difference

Measuring from the ground to the wheel arch helps identify suspension or pressure-related imbalance.

Think one side of your car is sitting lower? Here's how to confirm it step by step:

1. Park the car on a completely flat and level surface, like a paved driveway or garage floor. Avoid sloped or uneven ground.
2. Make sure the car is empty. Remove all passengers and any heavy items from the boot, back seat, or footwells.
3. Check all four tyres using a digital inflator like the AutoPump. Inflate each tyre to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
4. Use a tape measure to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the wheel arch at each corner of the car: front left, front right, rear left, and rear right.
5. Make sure you're measuring from the same reference point on each side to keep things accurate. Use the centre of the wheel if unsure.
6. Write down each measurement and compare the left and right sides. Focus on comparing front vs front and rear vs rear.
7. If the difference is under 10mm, it's usually nothing to worry about. Anything more than 10–15mm could point to a suspension or tyre-related issue.
8. If a lean is confirmed, double-check tyre pressure again and consider a visual inspection for worn suspension components or uneven tyre wear.
9. If the issue persists or you're unsure, it’s worth visiting a local garage or mechanic for a proper assessment.

Fixes You Can Try

Once you’ve spotted the reason behind the lean, here are a few things you can do about it.

1. Replace Worn Suspension Parts

If shocks, springs or struts are worn, especially on the driver’s side, they can throw off your car’s height. Replace them in pairs (both fronts or both rears) to avoid uneven handling and further imbalance.

2. Remove Extra Weight

Heavy items on one side of the car, especially in the boot or rear seats, can cause a visible lean. Clear out tools, gear, or clutter. You can’t move the battery, but you can reduce other weight.

3. Check Tyres for Pressure & Size

Soft tyres can make one side sit lower. Use a digital inflator like the AutoPump to check PSI across all four tyres. Also, make sure you’re running the same size and brand on each side for consistent height.

4. Get a Professional Inspection

If nothing seems wrong but the car still leans, get it checked by a mechanic. They can assess alignment, suspension setup, and past repairs that may be affecting the balance.

Is It Normal? Or Something to Worry About?

A small difference in height, say, up to 10mm between sides, is quite common and usually nothing to stress over. It can happen due to weight distribution, tyre pressure, or just factory tolerances.

But if the difference is more than 10–15mm, it’s worth taking a closer look. Even if the car feels fine, a visual lean might signal early suspension wear.

Notice the car pulling to one side, leaning into corners oddly, or bouncing more than usual? That’s not normal. These are signs your suspension or chassis might need urgent attention, so it’s best to have it checked by a professional.

Ordiniq’s AutoPump: Your Tyre’s Best Backup

Noticed your car sitting lower on one side? Before jumping to conclusions, one of the simplest fixes is to check your tyre pressure. Uneven inflation can make your vehicle look unbalanced, and worse, affect handling and wear. That’s where having the right tool on hand makes all the difference.

Ordiniq’s AutoPump makes pressure checks so simple, you’ll actually do them regularly.

The Ordiniq AutoPump is a compact, cordless tyre inflator that puts full control back in your hands, wherever you are.

This compact, cordless tyre inflator delivers up to 150 PSI of power and inflates most tyres in just minutes, all without needing any mechanical skills.

• Digital Pressure Control & Auto Shut-Off – Just set your target PSI and let AutoPump handle the rest.
• Rechargeable & Always Ready – Built-in 3900mAh battery with fast USB-C and 12V car charging options.
• Inflates More Than Just Tyres – Works on bikes, balls, scooters, lawn equipment, and even wheelchairs.

With its built-in LED torch and SOS light, it’s also the perfect emergency tool for night-time breakdowns.

You even get free tyre pressure monitoring caps, which let you check your tyre pressure at a glance, green is good, red means it’s time to pump.

And for a limited time only, you will get the following when you buy an AutoPump from us:

• FREE shipping across the UK
• FREE eBook: “Tyre Maintenance Tricks That Can Save You £££”
• 90-Day Pump or Peace of Mind Guarantee

No more queues at the petrol station. No more worrying about under-inflated tyres damaging your car or wasting fuel.

Just charge, toss it in your boot, and go. The AutoPump is your always-on-call air rescue kit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it normal for a car to sit slightly higher on the passenger side?

Yes, in many cases it's normal, especially if the difference is only a few millimetres. It can be due to design tolerances, weight distribution, or minor suspension wear.

Can suspension wear happen unevenly between sides?

Definitely. Since the driver’s seat is used more often, components on that side tend to wear out faster, especially springs and shocks.

Is it safe to continue driving if one side is noticeably higher or lower?

It depends on the cause. If the handling feels off, the car pulls to one side, or you hear unusual noises from the suspension, get it checked by a mechanic.

Do I need to replace both springs if only one is sagging?

Ideally, yes. Replacing suspension parts in pairs helps maintain balance and prevents uneven wear in the future.

What if I get a flat in the middle of nowhere?

That’s where the Ordiniq AutoPump comes in handy. It's portable, rechargeable, and powerful enough to inflate a tyre from flat to full in minutes, no garage visit required.