Used car guide

2001 Suzuki Carry: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Suzuki Carrys, from 222 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 222 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

222MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
3,500typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Suzuki Carrys than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.6× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    21.2% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    20.3% All 2001 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 4.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

By area

The share of 2001 Suzuki Carry MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% 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.

  • Steering
    22% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Suzuki Carry?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005875Suspension 39%
2004853Suspension 38%
2003583Suspension 41%
2002386Suspension 42%
2000144Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Suzuki Carrys registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score