Used car guide · 2006–2025

Suzuki SX4 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Suzuki SX4, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 124,648 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 Suzuki SX4

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Suzuki SX4 as a whole.

2,509on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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).

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki SX4?

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.

  • Diesel in the oil (particulate filter)

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · Diesel

    Diesels mostly used in town can clog the particulate filter, and an interrupted clean can let fuel into the oil, raising the level and risking engine damage.

    At the viewing: Check the oil isn't above the max mark and ask what journeys it does.

    Source: What Car?: used Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013-2021) reliability

  • Squeaks and rattles

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · All engines

    Some owners complain about interior squeaks and rattles, and the plastics scratch easily.

    At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.

    Source: What Car?: used Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (2013-2021) reliability

Common Suzuki SX4 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

Diesel

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes

    up to 37× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Hybrid

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Suzuki SX4 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Suzuki SX4 did best (79% passed first time, 5 points above all 2015 cars) and the 2006 did worst (49%, 7 points below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202393%92% +1273 (small sample)
202293%89% +42,763
202190%87% +33,424
202091%87% +42,696
201989%85% +46,041
201886%83% +38,039
201784%80% +49,612
201681%77% +410,093
201579%74% +511,194
201474%70% +419,136
201365%67% -29,933
201258%64% -65,827
201157%62% -56,671
201055%60% -56,077
200953%59% -65,778
200854%57% -37,373
200751%57% -66,942
200649%56% -72,776

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Suzuki SX4

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Does it get regular motorway runs?
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the Suzuki SX4 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the Suzuki SX4 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Suzuki SX4 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki SX4?

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 2023–2025, 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