2005 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,833 MOT tests, the 2005 Suzuki Carry recorded a 72.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2005 Carry sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.7%) 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, ball joint and tread depth — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 758 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.2% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.2% | 968 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 938 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 659 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 550 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.5% | 513 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 410 |
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 | 758 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 438 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 421 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 389 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 360 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 320 |
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 | 29.5% | 2,018 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.0% | 1,775 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 1,592 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 1,178 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 1,043 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 767 |
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 | 253 | 15.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,248 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,289 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,793 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 808 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 434 | 33.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,644 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 1,483 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 1,358 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 1,220 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 1,128 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Carry
On a 2005 Carry, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.6% 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 2005 Suzuki Carrys pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 6,833 2005 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Suzuki Carry?
Suspension, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.7%).
Does the 2005 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,833 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.