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Suzuki Swift reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present4 named generationssuperminiHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Suzuki Swift built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Suzuki Swifts built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Suzuki Swift by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Suzuki Swifts built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Suzuki Swifts built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Suzuki Swift's most common MOT issues, turned into things to 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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

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 Swift's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Swift Mk5

Mk5 (2024-present)

HYBRID ELECTRIC
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
Swift Mk4 (AZ)

Mk4 (AZ) (2017-2023)

Too close to call between ratings
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

14.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 11,074 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Swift Mk3 (FZ/NZ)

Mk3 (FZ/NZ) (2010-2016)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

19.6% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 14,361 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Swift Mk2 (RS)

Mk2 (RS) (2005-2009)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

34.3% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 9,441 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

32.8% fail rate, built around 2003 (22 years old)

Likely between 26.7% and 39.6%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.7%)

From 198 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 Swift.

See every build year for the Suzuki Swift

Side-by-side

Suzuki Swift generations compared

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.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (AZ) (2017-2023)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 11,074 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (FZ/NZ) (2010-2016)
Average
Average19.6%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 14,361 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (RS) (2005-2009)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings34.3%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 9,441 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating32.8%likely between 26.7% and 39.6%built around 2003 (22 years old)from 198 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Swift, 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

Suzuki Swift fail rate by age

This chart combines every Suzuki Swift ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,3297.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
8,59110.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
9,95610.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
12,40812.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
11,07414.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
10,49918.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14,36119.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14,85921.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
12,36423.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
11,78325.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
10,62627.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,11829.8%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
8,48531.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
8,85333.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
9,44134.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,74434.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,46634.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
66635.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
19832.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
14131.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
8430.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
17525.7%

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 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Suzuki Swift stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Suzuki models

3rd of 7

3rd lowest fail rate of 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

23rd of 84

23rd lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Suzuki Swifts

These issues come from 7-year-old Suzuki Swifts, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.2%
    Advisory: 3,092Fail: 139 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    13.1%
    Advisory: 1,999Fail: 195 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    7.9%
    Advisory: 1,552Fail: 199 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.9%
    Advisory: 750Fail: 127 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.3%
    Advisory: 734Fail: 17 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 11,074 MOT tests on 7-year-old Suzuki Swifts, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Suzuki Swifts notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres41%
  2. Brakes + Suspension19%
  3. Suspension + Tyres17%
  4. Other + Tyres14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,616 MOT tests on Suzuki Swift cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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

20 recalls in all

13 of the 20 Suzuki Swift recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 13 recalls

Top concerns

  • Some vehicles have an inappropriate design and material on check valve of vacuum pump
  • Unintended activation of the side air bag curtain air bag and seat pre tensioner may occur when rear door is slammed shu
  • Integrated starter generator belt belt may fail

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

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    No clear edge over the Suzuki Swift on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Suzuki Swift on these figures.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.2%, against 1.8% for the Suzuki Swift.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Citroen C4 Cactus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.3%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    No clear edge over the Suzuki Swift on these figures.

    7,268 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Suzuki Swift across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 11,074 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Suzuki Swift ever sold: 169,221 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 11,074 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.