Suzuki Alto: what fails at MOT
63,000 MOT tests on the Suzuki Alto in 2024, counted. 34.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
34.6% of Suzuki Alto tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.8%, so the Alto is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.6% of tests), suspension (6.8% of tests) and brakes (6.6% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics and wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2,485 | 27.0% | 24.4% | 44,400 28,200 to 61,100 |
| 2014 | 16,547 | 29.9% | 27.7% | 48,100 32,400 to 67,100 |
| 2013 | 15,328 | 32.8% | 30.6% | 54,600 37,700 to 74,800 |
| 2012 | 6,038 | 35.1% | 33.4% | 60,100 41,900 to 80,500 |
| 2011 | 6,036 | 34.3% | 36.1% | 65,700 45,900 to 85,200 |
| 2010 | 5,968 | 39.4% | 38.6% | 68,100 47,700 to 89,200 |
| 2009 | 6,968 | 39.4% | 39.8% | 69,400 48,800 to 90,800 |
| 2006 | 810 | 57.2% | 42.4% | 56,000 40,400 to 75,100 |
| 2005 | 1,366 | 51.5% | 42.2% | 55,900 39,800 to 76,800 |
| 2004 | 1,133 | 52.0% | 42.3% | 55,100 37,900 to 73,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Suzuki Alto tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Alto | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 12.6% | 9.6% | More than most |
| Suspension | 6.8% | 8.2% | |
| Brakes | 6.6% | 5.6% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.7% | 3.4% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 4.7% | |
| Body and structure | 2.9% | 2.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 2.6% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light5.2%
- Side light3.7%
- Wipers3.5%
- Tyre3.0%
- Brake pipes2.8%
- Washers2.4%
- Tyre tread2.3%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
- Horn1.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working4.9%
- Side light: not working3.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.6%
- Horn: not working1.5%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material13.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement11.9%
- Coil spring: corroded9.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.4%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened2.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Suzuki Alto's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.