SUZUKI SWIFT Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,736 MOT tests from 923 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every SUZUKI SWIFT has the same fault.

SUZUKI SWIFT's have a very good reliability rating of 629/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SUZUKI SWIFT that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SUZUKI SWIFT.

SUZUKI SWIFT (example)

Check a Suzuki Swift before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	860/999Excellent	72,784 miles	4,171 vehicles
N/A	N/A	850/999Excellent	77,843 miles	815 vehicles
N/A	N/A	774/999Very good	73,368 miles	4,803 vehicles
N/A	N/A	742/999Very good	76,019 miles	7,527 vehicles
N/A	N/A	711/999Very good	79,898 miles	8,429 vehicles
N/A	N/A	677/999Good	84,362 miles	8,149 vehicles
N/A	N/A	567/999Above average	74,704 miles	4,098 vehicles
N/A	N/A	538/999Above average	83,050 miles	2,111 vehicles
N/A	N/A	533/999Above average	68,480 miles	856 vehicles
N/A	N/A	445/999Average	82,782 miles	3,306 vehicles
N/A	N/A	425/999Average	87,654 miles	3,999 vehicles
N/A	N/A	424/999Average	78,735 miles	673 vehicles

How reliable is the SUZUKI SWIFT?

Based on 11,736 MOT tests from 923 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

923

MOT tests

11,736

Pass rate

77.7%

Median mileage

75,265 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SUZUKI SWIFT has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 666 out of 999.

Common SUZUKI SWIFT MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,090 advisory comments and 160 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,193 advisory comments and 166 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 435 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 303 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 261 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 248 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 201 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 50 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

SUZUKI SWIFT MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2025	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	5	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	11	10	90%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2022	10	25	88%	Tyre wear
2021	19	56	92.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	16	71	94.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	53	296	87.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	37	254	87%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	40	336	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	73	669	83.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	112	1221	81.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2014	78	898	79.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	86	1108	80.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	87	1288	77.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	52	833	75.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2010	33	579	74.4%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2009	49	941	73.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	45	918	74.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	61	1329	72.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2006	23	553	71.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	8	193	73.1%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used SUZUKI SWIFT

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Buying a SUZUKI SWIFT?

Common problems tell you what can affect SUZUKI SWIFTs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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