Used car guide

2001 Suzuki Ignis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Suzuki Igniss, from 347 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 347 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

347MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
3,400typical miles a year
5.9×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

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

  • Steering rack inner joints5.9× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    22.5% 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    33.4% All 2001 cars
    17%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.4% of all 2001 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.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    16.7% All 2001 cars
    7.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 3.3% of all 2001 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 lights2.7× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    13.3% All 2001 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 4% of all 2001 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side4.4× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    10.1% All 2001 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 1.7% of all 2001 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.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    55% 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
    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
    39% 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
    30% 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.

  • Steering
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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 Ignis?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023108Tyres 5%
20222,591Tyres 19%
20213,896Tyres 23%
20203,937Tyres 28%
20193,608Tyres 25%
20185,850Tyres 28%
20176,093Tyres 27%
2016261Suspension 32%
2007898Suspension 53%
2006748Suspension 55%
2005968Suspension 52%
20041,010Suspension 47%
2003701Brakes 50%
2002482Brakes 51%

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