Suzuki Swift: what fails at MOT
162,000 MOT tests on the Suzuki Swift in 2024, counted. 26.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.5% of Suzuki Swift tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.8%, so the Swift is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.2% of tests), brakes (6.1% of tests) and suspension (5.7% of tests). It fails on brakes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,289 | 7.3% | 10.9% | 17,200 11,200 to 24,600 |
| 2020 | 10,937 | 10.0% | 11.5% | 22,900 15,500 to 31,800 |
| 2019 | 14,355 | 12.6% | 13.4% | 28,900 20,400 to 40,000 |
| 2018 | 13,997 | 14.3% | 15.6% | 36,900 26,100 to 49,800 |
| 2017 | 10,545 | 16.8% | 18.2% | 41,800 29,400 to 55,900 |
| 2016 | 12,090 | 20.9% | 21.3% | 49,600 35,300 to 64,500 |
| 2015 | 13,932 | 23.8% | 24.4% | 55,700 40,600 to 73,500 |
| 2014 | 11,234 | 26.8% | 27.7% | 61,100 44,000 to 79,800 |
| 2013 | 9,612 | 29.7% | 30.6% | 67,800 50,600 to 87,600 |
| 2012 | 10,122 | 32.0% | 33.4% | 76,000 55,900 to 95,600 |
| 2011 | 7,195 | 36.4% | 36.1% | 81,500 61,000 to 102,900 |
| 2010 | 7,083 | 43.3% | 38.6% | 83,400 63,700 to 104,000 |
| 2009 | 7,938 | 45.9% | 39.8% | 86,300 65,500 to 107,600 |
| 2008 | 8,387 | 48.6% | 41.5% | 93,300 71,700 to 113,400 |
| 2007 | 8,099 | 48.8% | 41.5% | 93,900 73,100 to 113,600 |
| 2006 | 4,622 | 51.3% | 42.4% | 98,400 77,700 to 118,400 |
| 2005 | 1,505 | 49.4% | 42.2% | 97,000 74,200 to 120,300 |
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 Swift tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Swift | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.2% | 6.9% | |
| Brakes | 6.1% | 4.2% | More than most |
| Suspension | 5.7% | 5.6% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.1% | 2.9% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.7% | 4.2% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.3% | 1.9% | |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.2% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Side light3.2%
- Brake light2.7%
- Wipers2.6%
- Tyre2.1%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Brake pipes1.6%
- Footbrake1.6%
- Brake test1.6%
- Ball joint1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.2%
- Brake light: not working2.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.5%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.3%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
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 edge10.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.2%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.9%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.2%
- Coil spring: corroded2.1%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Suzuki Swift'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.