Suzuki Altos built around 2014 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.
Key figure
25% of MOT tests on Suzuki Altos built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.
Most common issue
The most common MOT issue on Suzuki Altos built around 2014 involves the tyres.
Before you view it
The Suzuki Alto's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.
Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.
Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.
Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.
Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.
By build year
Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.
Find your Alto's generation
Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.
24.6% fail rate, built around 2014 (11 years old)
Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 24.8%)
34.8% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)
Likely between 31.5% and 38.3%
Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)
Not sure which one you're looking at?
Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Suzuki Alto.
See every build year for the Suzuki AltoSide-by-side
Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.
| Generation | Rating | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mk7 (2009-2014) | Average | 24.6%built around 2014 (11 years old)from 16,057 MOT tests at this age |
| Older models (before 2005) | No rating | 34.8%likely between 31.5% and 38.3%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 767 MOT tests at this age |
Each row is one generation of the Alto, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.
By age
This chart combines every Suzuki Alto ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.
Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.
All generations of this model
These issues come from 11-year-old Suzuki Altos, every generation combined.
In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one
Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much
Coil spring corroded
Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease
Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing
Based on 16,057 MOT tests on 11-year-old Suzuki Altos, every generation combined.
All generations of this model
The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 11-year-old Suzuki Altos notes problems with more than one part of the car.
Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.
Across 7,665 MOT tests on Suzuki Alto cars built around 2014 (11 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.
Still registered
How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.
UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same
The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).
4 of the 6 Suzuki Alto recalls cover cars built in these years.
Top concerns
For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.
Like-for-like
Same body type, tested at the same age
Lower fail rate: 16.6%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto, both built around 2014.
1,222 MOT tests on cars built around 2014
Same body type, tested at the same age
Lower fail rate: 18.9%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto, both built around 2014.
Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.
26,287 MOT tests on cars built around 2014
Same body type, tested at the same age
Lower fail rate: 19.8%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto, both built around 2014.
10,541 MOT tests on cars built around 2014
Same body type, tested at the same age
Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto, both built around 2014.
3,363 MOT tests on cars built around 2014
Common questions
Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Suzuki Alto across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 16,057 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.
