Suzuki Kizashi MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 9 model years and 1,765 tests, the Suzuki Kizashi passes its MOT 84.1% of the time. That is 5.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.9%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.4%) and brakes (6.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, position lamp and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.8% in the 0-30k band and 20.6% in the 120-150k band, a 8.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Kizashi model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 67 | 82.1% | 17.9% | Brakes |
| 2012 | 1,021 | 82.8% | 17.2% | Brakes |
| 2013 | 483 | 87.4% | 12.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2014 | 193 | 83.9% | 16.1% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 107 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 104 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 72 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 41 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 24 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 9 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 81 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 49 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 47 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 42 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 38 |
| 7 | Rbt (sp) | 34 |
| 8 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 28 |
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 | 23.8% | 420 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.3% | 412 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 409 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 138 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 104 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.5% | 98 |
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 | 119 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 640 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 652 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 281 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 349 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 371 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 358 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 350 | 16.3% |
| 2025 | 337 | 19.0% |
What to check before buying a Suzuki Kizashi
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.1% 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 (5.9% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki Kizashi?
84.1% of the 1,765 Suzuki Kizashi MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 15.9% fail rate, across model years 2011–2019.
What does the Suzuki Kizashi most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.4% of tests, then brakes (6.1%).
How much does mileage affect Kizashi MOT results?
Fail rates run at 11.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 20.6% for 120-150k, a 8.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,765 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.