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Suzuki Swift years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

134,483 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2005–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Suzuki Swift years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2005–2010. Above it: 2013–2022. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

72.3%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 72.1% to 72.5%.

In 2025, 72.3% of the 134,483 initial MOT tests on Suzuki Swift cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 71.7%. That is 0.6 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 7th of 160 cars first used in 2022.

Check a specific Swift

Its own MOT history, free.

Suzuki Swift MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 34,61117,80093.2%±0.8+4.7 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 47,49523,20089.5%±0.8+2.3 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 57,99429,10088.4%±0.8+2.4 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 610,94935,50086.6%±0.7+3.1 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 710,12642,70083.9%±0.8+3.0 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 88,06547,60079.9%±0.9+1.7 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 910,40654,60076.2%±0.9+1.3 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1012,33660,40074.3%±0.8+2.4 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1110,06766,00070.8%±0.9+2.2 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 128,69873,30067.9%±1.0+2.1 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 138,85880,80064.5%±1.1+1.0 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 146,06584,50061.4%±1.3+0.2 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 155,68785,20055.8%±1.3−3.5 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 166,26588,00054.1%±1.3−4.2 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 176,44994,40052.1%±1.3−5.1 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 186,00094,30051.1%±1.3−6.3 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 193,32996,40050.5%±1.7−6.5 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,08395,60048.6%±3.0−9.0 ptsall: 57.6%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Suzuki Swift first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

89.6% of Suzuki Swift tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 50.6% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 88.7% and 57.3%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00026,02489.6%±0.4+1.0 ptsall: 88.7%
30,000–59,99943,94280.1%±0.4+1.3 ptsall: 78.7%
60,000–89,99934,83765.3%±0.6−1.8 ptsall: 67.0%
90,000–119,99920,52855.3%±0.7−4.1 ptsall: 59.4%
120,000 or more9,09650.6%±1.1−6.7 ptsall: 57.3%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Swift tests were above average under 60,000 miles and below average at 60,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Suzuki Swift tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 56 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Swift problems at the MOT

Share of the 37,241 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Swift

Based on the areas where Suzuki Swift MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 44.1% of failed Swift tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 30.9% of failed Swift tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Brakes

    In 29.8% of failed Swift tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 20.1% of failed Swift tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Swift's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Suzuki Swift cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Suzuki Swift cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.0% failed on tyres, against 3.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 16,925 and 58,194 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 9.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 8.9% of the others.

Brakes

Of Suzuki Swift cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 12.9% failed on brakes, against 6.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 15,665 and 59,386 cars.

  • With a brake advisory12.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.4% of those with a brake advisory and 8.4% of the others.

Suspension

Of Suzuki Swift cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 19.3% failed on suspension, against 12.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 7,862 and 66,245 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory19.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted12.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.6% of those with a suspension advisory and 8.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Suzuki Swift questions

Which Suzuki Swift years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2005–2010. Above average: 2013–2022. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Suzuki Swift reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 72.3% of initial MOT tests on Suzuki Swift cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 71.7%. That is 0.6 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Suzuki Swift problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 44.1% of failed tests), suspension (in 30.9% of failed tests) and brakes (in 29.8% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Suzuki Swift?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Suzuki Swift cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 60,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Swift's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Suzuki Swift

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Suzuki models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 10 Suzuki modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Suzuki Swift cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count