Used car guide

2006 Suzuki SX4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Suzuki SX4s, from 750 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

750MOT tests in 2025
47%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Suzuki SX4s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    14.5% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 3% of all 2006 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.

  • Engine warning light3.3× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    8.8% All 2006 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.7% of all 2006 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.1× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    11.6% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Corroded fuel pipes5.1× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    4.1% All 2006 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

By area

The share of 2006 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    36% 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
    34% 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
    16% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Suzuki SX4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,705Tyres 16%
20211,725Tyres 20%
2020894Tyres 25%
20192,025Tyres 25%
20182,718Tyres 29%
20173,207Tyres 28%
20163,368Tyres 29%
20153,712Tyres 31%
20146,336Brakes 34%
20133,280Suspension 39%
20121,898Suspension 51%
20112,124Suspension 53%
20101,906Suspension 55%
20091,717Suspension 57%
20082,128Suspension 58%
20071,995Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Suzuki SX4s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score