Used car guide

2013 Suzuki Alto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Suzuki Altos, from 11,388 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,388MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
4,800typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Suzuki Altos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes4× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    18.9% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    19.7% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    16.7% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    7.4% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Wipers2.3× usual
    Suzuki Alto
    6.5% All 2013 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Track rod ends: 0.7% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars. Ball joint: 1.6% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Suzuki Alto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% 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
    7% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20151,792Suspension 32%
201412,508Suspension 34%
20124,433Suspension 42%
20114,250Brakes 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 2013 Suzuki Altos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score