Used car guide

2002 Suzuki Ignis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Suzuki Igniss, from 482 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 482 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

482MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,600typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Suzuki Igniss than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.4× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    19.9% All 2002 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 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 pipes1.7× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    30.9% All 2002 cars
    17.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.5% of all 2002 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 arm2.9× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    10.6% All 2002 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2002 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.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    14.7% All 2002 cars
    7.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 3.1% of all 2002 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 joint2.1× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    12.2% All 2002 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.5% of all 2002 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

Engine oil leaks: 4.6% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Suzuki Ignis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    51% 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
    45% 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
    38% 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% 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%
2001347Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Suzuki Igniss registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score