2003 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,007 MOT tests, the 2003 Suzuki Carry recorded a 70.3% pass rate. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.1%) 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, headlamp and ball joint — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 909 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.3% versus 13.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.1% | 807 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 752 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 459 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 449 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.8% | 389 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 333 |
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 | 909 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 341 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 314 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 311 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 295 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 290 |
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 | 30.5% | 1,526 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.7% | 1,435 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.5% | 1,178 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.2% | 960 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.9% | 798 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 690 |
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 | 133 | 13.5% |
| 30-60k | 869 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,633 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,406 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 651 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 312 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,263 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 1,147 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 983 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 869 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 745 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Carry
On a 2003 Carry, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2003 Suzuki Carrys pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 5,007 2003 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Carry?
Suspension, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.0%).
Does the 2003 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,007 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.