Used car guide

2012 Suzuki SX4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Suzuki SX4s, from 1,898 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,898MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,900typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Suzuki SX4s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.1× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    22.6% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, 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.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    12.9% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    11% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses3.7× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    5.5% All 2012 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    8.9% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.1% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.9% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    46% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% 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
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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.

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%
20112,124Suspension 53%
20101,906Suspension 55%
20091,717Suspension 57%
20082,128Suspension 58%
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 2012 Suzuki SX4s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score