Used car guide

2012 Suzuki Swift: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Suzuki Swifts, from 8,862 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,862MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Suzuki Swifts than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.3× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    23.5% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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 joints3.7× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    8.6% All 2012 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake lights2.2× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    8.4% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Number plate lights1.6× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    11.9% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Sidelights1.7× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    8.4% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 4.4% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 2.9% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.6% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    9% 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 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%
20116,073Brakes 44%
20105,707Suspension 50%
20096,280Suspension 56%
20086,479Suspension 58%
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 2012 Suzuki Swifts registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score