Used car guide

2003 Suzuki Alto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Suzuki Altos, from 304 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 304 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

304MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
2,400typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Suzuki Altos than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    18.8% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Brakes pulling to one side5.3× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    10.5% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    10.2% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    14.1% All 2003 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brake lights2.1× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    11.8% All 2003 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 4.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2003 Suzuki Alto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    51% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Suzuki Alto?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,792Suspension 32%
201412,508Suspension 34%
201311,388Suspension 40%
20124,433Suspension 42%
20114,250Suspension 43%
20104,114Suspension 44%
20094,728Suspension 46%
2006510Brakes 56%
2005792Brakes 54%
2004645Suspension 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Suzuki Altos registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score