Used car guide

2005 Suzuki Alto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Suzuki Altos, from 792 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

792MOT tests in 2025

48%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)

2,700typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Suzuki Altos than on all cars registered in 2005.

Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual

Suzuki Alto
33.2% All 2005 cars
14.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual

Suzuki Alto
20.5% All 2005 cars
7.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 12.4%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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.
Braking performance2.8× usual

Suzuki Alto
19.2% All 2005 cars
6.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.
Brakes pulling to one side6.4× usual

Suzuki Alto
10.2% All 2005 cars
1.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 1.1% of all 2005 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.
Ball joint2× usual

Suzuki Alto
13% All 2005 cars
6.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Headlights: 6.4% here, against 14.2% of all 2005 cars. Sub-frame: 2.7% here, against 6.8% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Suzuki Alto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

54% 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

50% 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

35% 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

20% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Suzuki Alto?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	1,792	Suspension 32%
2014	12,508	Suspension 34%
2013	11,388	Suspension 40%
2012	4,433	Suspension 42%
2011	4,250	Brakes 43%
2010	4,114	Suspension 44%
2009	4,728	Suspension 46%
2006	510	Brakes 56%
2004	645	Suspension 56%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Suzuki Altos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score