Used car guide

2008 Suzuki SX4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Suzuki SX4s, from 2,128 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,128MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Suzuki SX4s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    26.1% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, 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.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    22.2% All 2008 cars
    12.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3.9% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    13.9% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.5× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    10.1% All 2008 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Front struts5.2× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    4.7% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% 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.

Better than most

Track rod ends: 1% here, against 5.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Suzuki SX4 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
    49% 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
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% 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 SX4?

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

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%
20071,995Suspension 57%
2006750Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Suzuki SX4s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score