Used car guide

2003 Suzuki Ignis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Suzuki Igniss, from 701 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

701MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,900typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Suzuki Igniss than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.7× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    31.5% All 2003 cars
    18.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.7% of all 2003 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.3× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    11.6% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side3.4× usual
    Suzuki Ignis
    6.7% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.5% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 7.4% here, against 16.2% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Suzuki Ignis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% 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
    47% 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
    31% 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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    13% 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 Ignis?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,591Tyres 19%
20213,896Tyres 23%
20203,937Tyres 28%
20193,608Tyres 25%
20185,850Tyres 28%
20176,093Suspension 27%
2007898Suspension 53%
2006748Suspension 55%
2005968Suspension 52%
20041,010Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Suzuki Igniss registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score