Used car guide

2005 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Suzuki Wagon-R+s, from 1,043 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,043MOT tests in 2025

59%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)

3,600typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Suzuki Wagon-R+s than on all cars registered in 2005.

Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
32.1% All 2005 cars
14.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.
Steering rack inner joints3.7× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
14.5% All 2005 cars
3.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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.
Track rod ends1.8× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
11.1% All 2005 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Wheel bearings1.9× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
7.1% All 2005 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Front strut mounts and bushes3.6× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
2.9% All 2005 cars
0.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2005 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.2% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars. Headlight aim: 2.7% here, against 6.6% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

47% 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.
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

31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

15% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

14% 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 Wagon-R+?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2004	1,312	Suspension 47%
2003	1,216	Suspension 48%
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 2005 Suzuki Wagon-R+s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score