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Suzuki SX4 Mk1 (2006-2013) reliability

At a glance

Suzuki SX4 Mk1 built around 2013: about average at the MOT

Suzuki SX4 Mk1 models built around 2013 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Suzuki SX4 Mk1?

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

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Suzuki SX4 Mk1 models built around 2013 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Suzuki SX4 Mk1 models built around 2013 involves the brakes.

Suzuki SX4 Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2006-2013HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 22,222 tests of SX4 models registered 2006-2013.

About 1 in 15 SX4 Mk1 MOTs (6.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2013 (12 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,479 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 15 SX4 Mk1 MOTs (6.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2013 (12 years old).

Based on 3,479 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,08525.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
3,47928.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
2,80630.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,84331.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,61432.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,59433.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,14133.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,16434.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
49638.7%

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 19 years old.

How the SX4 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the SX4 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 33,965 tests across 6 Suzuki models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSuzuki average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,08525.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
3,47928.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
2,80630.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,84331.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,61432.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,59433.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,14133.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,16434.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
49638.7%

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.

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

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 SX4 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 18.2%, against 28.2% for the Suzuki SX4 Mk1, both built around 2013.

    4,671 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Audi A7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    5.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.0%, against 28.2% for the Suzuki SX4 Mk1, both built around 2013.

    1,796 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Honda Fit

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.1%

    Lower fail rate: 16.1%, against 28.2% for the Suzuki SX4 Mk1, both built around 2013.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,015 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.6%, against 28.2% for the Suzuki SX4 Mk1, both built around 2013.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    43,222 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

2 of the 8 SX4 Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Front airbags may not deploy correctly
  • Engine may seize

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

How SX4 Mk1 cars have aged

How SX4 Mk1 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%40%81012141618Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (2,517 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (2,408 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (2,455 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (2,319 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (2,280 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (1,678 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (1,641 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,624 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (1,530 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (1,448 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (1,942 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (1,877 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (1,886 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,791 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (1,644 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (1,879 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (1,786 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,716 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (1,643 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (1,509 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (2,034 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (1,878 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (1,732 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,552 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,347 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (2,936 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,659 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (2,396 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,076 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (1,826 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (2,751 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (2,417 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (2,209 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (1,906 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (1,587 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (1,025 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.4% (868 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (766 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (593 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 38.7% (496 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
Mk1 variants compared

SX4 Mk1 variants built around 2013

The fail rate for each SX4 Mk1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • SX428.3%2,837 tests

Diesel

  • SX427.7%642 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Suzuki SX4 models of this age

This list covers every Suzuki SX4 built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 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

    20.4%
    Advisory: 971Fail: 124 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    19.5%
    Advisory: 637Fail: 281 (31% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    18.6%
    Advisory: 1,138Fail: 203 (15% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.0%
    Advisory: 573Fail: 70 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    11.6%
    Advisory: 599Fail: 8 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,479 tests

Looking at a Suzuki SX4 Mk1?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Suzuki SX4 Mk1 (2006-2013) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 3,479 12-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 22,222 MOT tests on Suzuki SX4 models first registered between 2006-2013. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.