Most Reliable Suzuki Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 429,206 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Suzuki models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
429,206 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Suzuki model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Suzuki VITARA
86.1% pass rate
Best Single Year
GRAND VITARA 2013 Petrol
82.1% pass rate
Suzuki vs National Average
73.1% vs 71.5%
+1.6% above average
Proven Durability Champion
JIMNY 2009
+12.4% at 13+ years
Suzuki has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 429,206 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Suzuki models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Suzuki model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Suzuki Compares to Rivals
Suzuki ranks #37 out of 75 manufacturers with a 73.1% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Kia | 73.9% | #32 | 886,213 |
| Hyundai | 73.3% | #34 | 858,542 |
| Suzuki | 73.1% | #37 | 429,206 |
| Honda | 72.2% | #41 | 927,815 |
| Mazda | 72.2% | #42 | 518,750 |
| Dacia | 72.0% | #44 | 180,123 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Suzuki sits at #37. However, newer Suzuki models significantly outperform this average.
Best Suzuki Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Suzuki's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VITARA | 86.1% | +14.6% | 58,964 | 2000-2021 |
| CELERIO | 85.6% | +14.1% | 27,683 | 2015-2019 |
| IGNIS | 78.7% | +7.2% | 26,883 | 2001-2020 |
| BALENO | 77.7% | +6.2% | 6,593 | 2016-2019 |
| SWIFT | 71.8% | +0.3% | 132,504 | 2001-2021 |
| SX4 | 70.8% | -0.7% | 41,066 | 2006-2020 |
| JIMNY | 69.9% | -1.6% | 24,478 | 2000-2020 |
| ALTO | 66.9% | -4.6% | 50,084 | 2003-2015 |
| SPLASH | 64.5% | -7.0% | 17,955 | 2008-2014 |
| GRAND VITARA | 62.6% | -8.9% | 23,825 | 2000-2014 |
Top performer
The VITARA dramatically outperforms other Suzukis with an 86.1% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Suzuki Models Age Best?
These Suzuki models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JIMNY | 2009 | Petrol | +12.4% | 13+ years | 69.7% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2009 | Petrol | +12.2% | 13+ years | 69.5% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2010 | Petrol | +11.7% | 13+ years | 69.0% |
| JIMNY | 2011 | Petrol | +11.2% | 11-12 years | 74.0% |
| JIMNY | 2008 | Petrol | +10.5% | 13+ years | 67.8% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2011 | Petrol | +9.3% | 11-12 years | 72.2% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2010 | Petrol | +8.5% | 11-12 years | 71.4% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2009 | Diesel | +6.1% | 13+ years | 63.4% |
| GRAND VITARA | 2001 | Petrol | +5.7% | 13+ years | 63.0% |
| JIMNY | 2007 | Petrol | +5.1% | 13+ years | 62.4% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Suzuki models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JIMNY | 2019 | Petrol | +8.3% | 3-4 years | 94.2% |
| CELERIO | 2017 | Petrol | +5.7% | 5-6 years | 86.9% |
| CELERIO | 2016 | Petrol | +5.3% | 5-6 years | 86.5% |
| SX4 | 2019 | Petrol | +4.9% | 3-4 years | 90.8% |
| SX4 | 2017 | Petrol | +4.7% | 5-6 years | 85.9% |
| VITARA | 2016 | Petrol | +4.7% | 5-6 years | 85.8% |
| SX4 | 2016 | Petrol | +4.5% | 5-6 years | 85.7% |
| SWIFT | 2019 | Hybrid Electric | +4.0% | 3-4 years | 89.9% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Suzuki SWIFT: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The SWIFT has 132,504 tests in our database with an overall 71.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric | 96.2% | +5.3% | 131 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 92.2% | +4.6% | 6,926 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 92.2% | +4.5% | 1,016 |
| 2019 | Hybrid Electric | 89.9% | +3.7% | 1,898 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 88.4% | +2.2% | 9,240 |
| 2018 | Hybrid Electric | 86.2% | +2.0% | 2,602 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.2% | +1.0% | 7,602 |
| 2017 | Hybrid Electric | 84.5% | +2.8% | 1,331 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 83.0% | +1.3% | 6,751 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 80.2% | +1.6% | 10,515 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 78.9% | +3.4% | 12,435 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 75.8% | +4.1% | 9,852 |
| ... | ||||
| 2012 | Diesel | 59.4% | -6.2% | 606 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 58.3% | -2.2% | 6,138 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 51.9% | -8.7% | 297 |
SWIFT verdict: The 2021 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 96.2% pass rate. Avoid the 2012 diesel (59.4%).
Avoid early SWIFT models
The 2012 diesel SWIFT has a 59.4% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Suzuki VITARA: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The VITARA has 58,964 tests in our database with an overall 86.1% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric | 87.1% | -3.8% | 124 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 93.1% | +5.4% | 2,665 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 92.3% | +4.6% | 2,739 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 89.8% | +3.6% | 12,956 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 86.2% | +2.0% | 11,909 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 84.6% | +0.3% | 279 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 83.5% | +1.9% | 10,479 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 79.3% | -2.4% | 1,016 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 84.6% | +6.0% | 9,128 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 78.8% | +0.1% | 1,948 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 83.3% | +7.8% | 4,547 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 79.7% | +4.2% | 1,038 |
| ... | ||||
| 2000 | Petrol | 54.4% | -6.2% | 136 |
VITARA verdict: Avoid the 2000 petrol (54.4%).
Avoid early VITARA models
The 2000 petrol VITARA has a 54.4% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Suzuki ALTO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The ALTO has 50,084 tests in our database with an overall 66.9% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Petrol | 73.5% | -2.0% | 1,828 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 71.8% | +0.1% | 12,985 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 70.2% | +1.9% | 11,946 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 67.0% | +1.4% | 4,779 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 65.6% | +2.6% | 4,654 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 63.9% | +3.4% | 4,584 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 62.0% | +3.0% | 5,546 |
| 2006 | Petrol | 50.1% | -6.1% | 811 |
| 2005 | Petrol | 49.8% | -6.5% | 1,310 |
| 2004 | Petrol | 47.0% | -9.0% | 1,121 |
| 2003 | Petrol | 49.6% | -7.1% | 520 |
| ... | ||||
| 2006 | Petrol | 50.1% | -6.1% | 811 |
| 2005 | Petrol | 49.8% | -6.5% | 1,310 |
| 2004 | Petrol | 47.0% | -9.0% | 1,121 |
ALTO verdict: Avoid the 2006 petrol (50.1%).
Avoid early ALTO models
The 2006 petrol ALTO has a 50.1% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Suzuki SX4: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The SX4 has 41,066 tests in our database with an overall 70.8% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 91.5% | +3.8% | 247 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 89.7% | +2.1% | 536 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 90.8% | +4.6% | 2,053 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 87.5% | +3.3% | 2,603 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 82.1% | -2.1% | 123 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 85.9% | +4.2% | 2,998 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 83.8% | +2.1% | 272 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 84.7% | +6.0% | 2,800 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 76.2% | -2.4% | 619 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 81.8% | +6.3% | 3,046 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 76.9% | +1.4% | 765 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 78.7% | +7.0% | 5,258 |
| ... | ||||
| 2012 | Diesel | 57.1% | -8.5% | 401 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 56.7% | -8.9% | 1,594 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 57.2% | -5.8% | 1,901 |
SX4 verdict: The 2020 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 91.5% pass rate. Avoid the 2012 diesel (57.1%).
Avoid early SX4 models
The 2012 diesel SX4 has a 57.1% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Suzuki CELERIO: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The CELERIO has 27,683 tests in our database with an overall 85.6% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 89.6% | +3.4% | 2,112 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 87.1% | +2.8% | 4,100 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 86.9% | +5.2% | 6,387 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 86.0% | +7.3% | 7,866 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 82.2% | +6.7% | 7,218 |
CELERIO verdict:
Suzuki Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Suzuki's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 89.8% | +18.3% | 23,372 |
| Petrol | 72.5% | +0.9% | 381,755 |
| Diesel | 65.4% | -6.1% | 19,484 |
The hybrid advantage: Suzuki hybrids pass MOTs 17% more often than petrols and 24% more often than diesels.
Suzuki Models to Avoid
Not all Suzukis are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALTO | 2004 | Petrol | 47.0% (-12.9% vs same-age) | 1,121 |
| SX4 | 2012 | Petrol | 56.7% (-12.5% vs same-age) | 1,594 |
| ALTO | 2003 | Petrol | 49.6% (-10.2% vs same-age) | 520 |
| SWIFT | 2005 | Petrol | 49.2% (-10.6% vs same-age) | 1,584 |
| SWIFT | 2006 | Petrol | 49.2% (-10.6% vs same-age) | 4,639 |
| BALENO | 2018 | Petrol | 77.5% | 1,408 |
| BALENO | 2017 | Petrol | 75.0% | 2,145 |
| SX4 | 2006 | Petrol | 49.6% (-10.3% vs same-age) | 1,073 |
| SWIFT | 2008 | Petrol | 50.9% | 7,916 |
| ALTO | 2005 | Petrol | 49.8% (-10.1% vs same-age) | 1,310 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2003-2005 petrol ALTOs, 2006-2012 petrol SX4s, 2005-2008 petrol SWIFTs are the models that drag down Suzuki's average. The ALTO 2004 performs 10% worse than the average car of the same age at 13+ years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Suzukis?
When Suzukis fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 43,523 |
| 2. Suspension | 34,881 |
| 3. Brakes | 33,142 |
| 4. Visibility | 23,461 |
| 5. Tyres | 21,221 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 12,550 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 10,139 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Suzuki owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- JIMNY 2019 Petrol: 94% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- JIMNY 2003-2011: +8% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- GRAND VITARA 2001-2011: +8% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Suzuki Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- ALTO 2003-2006: -8% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- SX4 2006-2012: -9% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- SWIFT 2005-2008: -8% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 429,206 tests on Suzuki vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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