Used car guide

2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+s, from 1,216 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,216MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)

3,500typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+s than on all cars registered in 2003.

Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
15% All 2003 cars
6.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Steering rack inner joints3× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
10.6% All 2003 cars
3.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 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.
Suspension arm2.3× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
8.1% All 2003 cars
3.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.
Wheels3.7× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
5.6% All 2003 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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, and look for cracks or bulges.
Ball joint dust cover1.9× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
9.1% All 2003 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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: 2.5% here, against 12.1% of all 2003 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

48% 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

44% 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

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.
Oil and fluid leaks

17% 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.
Driveshafts and joints

15% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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%
2002	918	Brakes 51%
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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score