Used car guide

2000 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Suzuki Wagon-R+s, from 268 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 268 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

268MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
3,200typical miles a year
6.1×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Suzuki Wagon-R+s than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.1× usual
    Suzuki Wagon-R+
    23.1% All 2000 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2000 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Suzuki Wagon-R+
    32.5% All 2000 cars
    16.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.4% of all 2000 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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side4.7× usual
    Suzuki Wagon-R+
    11.2% All 2000 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 1.8% of all 2000 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.

  • Number plate lights2.7× usual
    Suzuki Wagon-R+
    14.6% All 2000 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.3% of all 2000 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.

By area

The share of 2000 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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
    54% 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
    42% 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
    38% 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.

  • Steering
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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 Wagon-R+?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007416Brakes 45%
2006457Brakes 45%
20051,043Suspension 47%
20041,312Suspension 47%
20031,216Suspension 48%
2002918Brakes 51%
2001608Brakes 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Suzuki Wagon-R+s registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score