Suzuki SX4: what fails at MOT
44,000 MOT tests on the Suzuki SX4 in 2024, counted. 27.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.2% of Suzuki SX4 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.3%, so the SX4 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.3% of tests), lights and electrics (6.4% of tests) and brakes (6.3% of tests). It fails on brakes 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 | 2,535 | 10.0% | 10.9% | 20,000 13,100 to 29,200 |
| 2020 | 1,356 | 7.1% | 11.5% | 24,300 16,300 to 34,500 |
| 2019 | 2,693 | 10.1% | 13.4% | 28,800 19,900 to 39,600 |
| 2018 | 3,575 | 13.1% | 15.6% | 36,500 26,700 to 48,600 |
| 2017 | 4,277 | 16.3% | 18.2% | 45,100 33,000 to 59,300 |
| 2016 | 3,585 | 17.9% | 21.3% | 56,700 41,000 to 72,800 |
| 2015 | 3,691 | 21.7% | 24.4% | 65,200 49,200 to 82,400 |
| 2014 | 6,196 | 25.8% | 27.7% | 69,800 51,900 to 90,300 |
| 2013 | 3,077 | 35.4% | 30.6% | 71,400 52,100 to 91,900 |
| 2012 | 1,766 | 41.2% | 33.4% | 73,100 53,100 to 95,200 |
| 2011 | 2,175 | 44.0% | 36.1% | 80,500 62,300 to 102,400 |
| 2010 | 2,024 | 43.0% | 38.6% | 86,700 65,700 to 110,400 |
| 2009 | 1,964 | 47.4% | 39.8% | 88,800 68,800 to 110,400 |
| 2008 | 2,411 | 45.2% | 41.5% | 95,300 74,000 to 116,000 |
| 2007 | 2,212 | 50.7% | 41.5% | 99,000 77,000 to 120,000 |
| 2006 | 891 | 50.3% | 42.4% | 98,500 79,500 to 122,100 |
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 SX4 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | SX4 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.3% | 5.7% | |
| Lights and electrics | 6.4% | 7.0% | |
| Brakes | 6.3% | 4.3% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 2.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.9% | 2.0% | |
| Body and structure | 1.6% | 2.1% | |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.3% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre tread2.8%
- Ball joint2.7%
- Coil spring2.5%
- Wipers2.1%
- Tyre2.0%
- Side light1.9%
- Brake light1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Footbrake1.7%
- Brake pipes1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Brake light: not working1.7%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.3%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.2%
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 edge14.1%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material7.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.2%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.9%
- Coil spring: corroded2.2%
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?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Suzuki SX4'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.