2001 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
1,882 MOT tests on the 2001 Suzuki Carry are in this dataset, and 71.8% of them passed. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.7%) and lighting & signalling (15.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and stop lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 379 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.8% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.7% | 296 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 283 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 176 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 175 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.5% | 123 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 109 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 379 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 150 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 119 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 112 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 103 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 95 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.6% | 575 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.0% | 489 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.7% | 465 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.0% | 452 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 338 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 203 |
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 | 52 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 309 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 694 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 498 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 216 | 36.6% |
| 150k+ | 111 | 37.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 474 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 421 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 375 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 331 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 281 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Carry
On a 2001 Carry, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2001 Suzuki Carrys pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,882 2001 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Suzuki Carry?
Suspension, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.0%).
Does the 2001 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 37.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,882 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.