Used car guide · 1997–2007

Suzuki Wagon-R+ common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Suzuki Wagon-R+, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 22,443 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

22,443MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
8,103on the UK register
2006best year at its MOT

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).

20072006200520042003200220012000199919981997

What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki Wagon-R+?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Suzuki Wagon-R+ in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 2023–2025.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Brakes pulling to one side

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

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

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Suzuki Wagon-R+ did best (61% passed first time, 5 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2005 did worst (59%, 2 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200760%57% +31,412
200661%56% +51,553
200559%57% +23,607
200458%57% +14,600
200354%57% -34,483
200250%58% -83,390
200153%60% -72,226
200049%61% -121,043
199945%63% -18129 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Suzuki Wagon-R+

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the Suzuki Wagon-R+ as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Suzuki Wagon-R+ as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Suzuki Wagon-R+ as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Wagon-R+?

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