Used car guide

2002 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Suzuki Wagon-R+s, from 918 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

918MOT tests in 2025

51%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)

3,200typical miles a year

1.7×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Suzuki Wagon-R+s than on all cars registered in 2002.

Tyre condition1.7× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
25.6% All 2002 cars
14.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 3.6% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
11.7% All 2002 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 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.
Number plate lights1.9× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
14.4% All 2002 cars
7.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.9% of all 2002 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.
Suspension arm2.6× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
9.5% All 2002 cars
3.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Ball joint1.9× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
11.1% All 2002 cars
5.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.5% of all 2002 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.

Better than most

Headlights: 2.6% here, against 10.8% of all 2002 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.1% here, against 8.3% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

51% 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.
Suspension

50% 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.
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.
Lights and electrics

35% 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

17% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

15% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2005	1,043	Suspension 47%
2004	1,312	Suspension 47%
2003	1,216	Suspension 48%
2001	608	Brakes 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Suzuki Wagon-R+s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score