2003 Suzuki Ignis — MOT failures & pass rate
6,731 MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Ignis are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. City cars of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and brakes (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, service brake performance and ball joint — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 454 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.2% versus 11.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 950 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 862 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.1% | 817 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 350 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 349 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 345 |
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 | 454 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 437 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 418 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 402 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 336 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 291 |
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 | 39.3% | 2,643 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.0% | 2,222 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 1,835 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.3% | 1,501 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 1,172 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 1,057 |
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 | 169 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,204 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,428 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,900 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 817 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 211 | 33.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,799 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 1,530 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 1,361 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 1,137 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 904 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Ignis
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% 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 (12.1% 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.
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 Igniss pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 6,731 2003 Suzuki Ignis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Ignis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2003 Ignis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,731 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.