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Suzuki Alto Mk7 (2009-2014) reliability

At a glance

Suzuki Alto Mk7 built around 2014: about average at the MOT

Suzuki Alto Mk7 models built around 2014 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Suzuki Alto Mk7?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

25% of MOT tests on Suzuki Alto Mk7 models 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 Alto Mk7 models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Suzuki Alto Mk7
average reliability2009-2014HatchbackPETROL

Based on 54,949 tests of Alto models registered 2009-2014.

About 1 in 25 Alto Mk7 MOTs (3.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 16,057 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Alto Mk7 MOTs (5.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 16,057 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk7 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
6,37824.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16,05724.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
11,17125.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,82727.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
6,01728.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,11929.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,38028.8%

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 15 years old.

How the Alto Mk7 compares

At each age below, see how the Alto Mk7 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 41,803 tests across 6 Suzuki models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSuzuki average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
6,37824.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16,05724.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
11,17125.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,82727.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
6,01728.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,11929.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,38028.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Alto Mk7.

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    3.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.6%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto Mk7, both built around 2014.

    1,222 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 18.9%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto Mk7, 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

  3. 3

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    4.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 19.8%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto Mk7, both built around 2014.

    10,541 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Peugeot 108

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 24.6% for the Suzuki Alto Mk7, both built around 2014.

    3,363 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

92%of all Suzuki Alto cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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).

Recall context

6 recalls in all

1 of the 6 Alto Mk7 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical

Top concerns

  • Possibility of fire

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Alto Mk7 cars have aged

How Alto Mk7 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%79111315Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (10,588 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (10,460 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (10,384 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (10,124 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (9,970 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (9,802 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (9,693 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (9,473 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (9,311 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (8,935 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (4,061 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (3,947 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (3,958 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (3,836 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (3,645 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (4,126 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (3,918 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (3,857 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (3,646 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (3,510 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (3,812 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (3,690 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (3,477 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (3,333 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (3,097 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (4,584 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (4,280 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (4,127 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (3,768 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (3,380 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
Mk7 variants compared
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Suzuki Altos of this age

This list covers every Suzuki Alto built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk7 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.5%
    Advisory: 4,281Fail: 473 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    19.9%
    Advisory: 4,207Fail: 505 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    15.5%
    Advisory: 4,389Fail: 82 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    15.0%
    Advisory: 4,034Fail: 530 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.7%
    Advisory: 2,745Fail: 350 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 16,057 tests

Looking at a Suzuki Alto Mk7?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Suzuki Alto Mk7 (2009-2014) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 54,949 MOT tests on Suzuki Altos first registered between 2009-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.