Used car guide

2011 Suzuki Alto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Suzuki Altos, from 4,250 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,250MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
4,800typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Suzuki Altos than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.6× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    28% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    19.8% All 2011 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    12.4% All 2011 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 3.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Wipers2.4× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    7.3% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    8.4% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.2% here, against 8.9% of all 2011 cars. Track rod ends: 0.9% here, against 5.3% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Suzuki Alto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% 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
    43% 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
    34% 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
    34% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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%
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 2011 Suzuki Altos registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score