Suzuki Swift common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Suzuki Swift, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 135,131 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987
What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki Swift?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2018–2019 · Built to June 2019
Brake servo and airbag recalls (built to mid-2019)
Cars built Oct 2017 to June 2019 may have a faulty brake servo that loses brake assistance, and cars built up to Feb 2019 were recalled because side airbags and pre-tensioners could go off when they shouldn’t.
At the viewing: Ask a Suzuki dealer to confirm both recalls were done.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review
- Cars registered 2010–2017 · Manual gearbox
Clutch judder
A worn clutch plate makes the car judder pulling away, more so in cold weather.
At the viewing: Pull away from cold and feel for shuddering.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk6, 2010-2017) buyer’s guide
- Cars registered 2005–2009 · Manual gearbox
Gearbox problems
Gearbox problems are a known issue, and a stiff gearchange can be an early sign.
At the viewing: Change through every gear and be wary of a stiff or notchy change.
- Cars registered 2013–2014 · Built Sept to Nov 2013
Water pump recall (built Sept to Nov 2013)
On cars built from September to November 2013 the water pump could work loose and the engine overheat. There was a recall.
At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done, and watch the temperature gauge on the drive.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk6, 2010-2017) buyer’s guide
- Cars registered in 2013 · Built Feb to Mar 2013
Brake fluid leak recall (built Feb to Mar 2013)
Cars built in February and March 2013 were recalled for brake fluid leaks.
At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk6, 2010-2017) buyer’s guide
- Cars registered 2010–2017 · All engines
Handbrake that needs adjusting
The handbrake can lose its adjustment quickly.
At the viewing: Make sure the handbrake holds the car on a steep slope.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk6, 2010-2017) buyer’s guide
- Cars registered 2010–2017 · 1.6 Swift Sport
Notchy gearchange (Swift Sport)
The 1.6 Swift Sport’s gearbox can feel stiff or notchy. A gearbox oil change can help.
At the viewing: Go through all the gears, including reverse, and feel for resistance.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk6, 2010-2017) buyer’s guide
- Cars registered 2018–2024 · All engines
Phone connection dropping out
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can disconnect at random.
At the viewing: Connect your phone and drive for a while.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review
- Cars registered 2018–2024 · Cars with diamond-cut wheels
Corroded diamond-cut alloys
Diamond-cut alloys can corrode once the lacquer is damaged.
At the viewing: Look at the wheels for bubbling or white corrosion.
Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review
- Cars registered 2005–2009 · All engines
Grinding brakes and fast-wearing front tyres
Some owners report grinding or squealing brakes, and front tyres can wear out in under 12,000 miles.
At the viewing: Listen when braking and check the front tyre tread.
1 more known fault
- Cars registered 2005–2009 · All engines
Soft paint and dashboard rattle
The paint chips and scrapes easily, and many owners complain of a dashboard rattle. Bumpers are costly to repair, so check for poor crash repairs.
At the viewing: Look along the bumpers and panels for chips, mismatched paint and uneven gaps.
Common Suzuki Swift MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.
Rigid brake pipes
up to 8.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Braking performance
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Brake lights
up to 2.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Front strut mounts and bushes
up to 12.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Rough price £120–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Sidelights
up to 3.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Wipers
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Suzuki Swift MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Suzuki Swift did best (93% passed first time, 4 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2005 did worst (49%, 9 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 97% | 92% +5 | 295 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 93% | 89% +4 | 4,599 |
| 2021 | 89% | 87% +2 | 7,493 |
| 2020 | 88% | 86% +2 | 8,007 |
| 2019 | 87% | 84% +3 | 10,941 |
| 2018 | 84% | 81% +3 | 10,113 |
| 2017 | 80% | 78% +2 | 8,075 |
| 2016 | 76% | 75% +1 | 10,410 |
| 2015 | 74% | 72% +2 | 12,360 |
| 2014 | 71% | 69% +2 | 10,088 |
| 2013 | 68% | 66% +2 | 8,706 |
| 2012 | 64% | 63% +1 | 8,862 |
| 2011 | 61% | 61% +0 | 6,073 |
| 2010 | 56% | 59% -3 | 5,707 |
| 2009 | 54% | 58% -4 | 6,280 |
| 2008 | 52% | 57% -5 | 6,479 |
| 2007 | 51% | 57% -6 | 6,036 |
| 2006 | 50% | 57% -7 | 3,344 |
| 2005 | 49% | 58% -9 | 1,095 |
| 2002 | 56% | 60% -4 | 168 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Suzuki Swift
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the brake servo and airbag recalls been done?
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 8.5× as often on the Suzuki Swift as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Suzuki Swift as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Suzuki Swift as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Suzuki Swift?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score