2006 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 419 MOT tests, the 2006 Suzuki Carry recorded a 71.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 1.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests against 10.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, component mounting prescribed areas and stop lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 28 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.9% versus 24.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 26.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.8% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 71 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 44 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 33 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 27 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 23 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 22 |
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 | 26.5% | 111 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.1% | 105 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.6% | 82 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.0% | 71 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 57 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 120 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 110 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 109 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 96 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 84 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 80 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 71 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Carry
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.5% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.3% 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 2006 Suzuki Carrys pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 419 2006 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Suzuki Carry?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2006 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 419 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.