Used car guide

2008 Suzuki Swift: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Suzuki Swifts, from 6,479 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,479MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Suzuki Swifts than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.8× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    27.3% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    14.1% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    18.2% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes8.1× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    7.3% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 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.

  • Braking performance1.9× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    11.9% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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: 5.5% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.5% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Suzuki Swift MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% 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
    33% 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% 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 Swift?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
20076,036Suspension 59%
20063,344Suspension 60%
20051,095Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Suzuki Swifts registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score