2010 Suzuki Alto — MOT failures & pass rate
28,248 MOT tests on the 2010 Suzuki Alto are in this dataset, and 78.0% of them passed. That is 2.2 percentage points better than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 8.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, wipers and stop lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 1,960 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.2% versus 13.6%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 4,305 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 2,353 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 2,341 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.7% | 1,885 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,517 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 841 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,960 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,611 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,470 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,393 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,104 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 898 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.7% | 10,074 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.4% | 9,421 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 8,074 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 3,930 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 2,951 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 2,271 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,707 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 9,564 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 10,295 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,464 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 996 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 218 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,954 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 5,885 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 5,697 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 5,560 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 5,152 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Alto
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Suzuki Altos pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 28,248 2010 Suzuki Alto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Suzuki Alto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2010 Alto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,248 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.