Used car guide

2005 Suzuki Swift: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Suzuki Swifts, from 1,095 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,095MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Suzuki Swifts than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.7× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    24.9% All 2005 cars
    14.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes12.4× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    9.9% All 2005 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    19% All 2005 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    14.8% All 2005 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Front struts7.1× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    5.7% All 2005 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

By area

The share of 2005 Suzuki Swift MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    63% 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.

  • Brakes
    48% 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
    41% 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
    36% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Suzuki Swift?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,599Tyres 15%
20217,493Tyres 21%
20208,007Tyres 29%
201910,941Tyres 29%
201810,113Tyres 29%
20178,075Tyres 29%
201610,410Tyres 28%
201512,360Brakes 30%
201410,088Brakes 33%
20138,706Brakes 35%
20128,862Brakes 40%
20116,073Brakes 44%
20105,707Suspension 50%
20096,280Suspension 56%
20086,479Suspension 58%
20076,036Suspension 59%
20063,344Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Suzuki Swifts registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score