2003 Suzuki Liana — MOT failures & pass rate
1,284 MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Liana are in this dataset, and 67.9% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and brakes (14.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, catalyst emissions and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 144 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 28.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.8% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 182 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 181 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 173 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 150 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 120 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 78 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 144 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 116 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 111 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 87 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 79 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 66 |
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 | 39.7% | 510 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 396 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 367 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 283 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 270 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.2% | 208 |
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 | 38 | 28.9% |
| 30-60k | 286 | 28.3% |
| 60-90k | 447 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 379 | 36.4% |
| 120-150k | 115 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 407 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 313 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 252 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 176 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 136 | 32.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Liana
On a 2003 Liana, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.1% 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 (13.5% 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.
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 Lianas pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 1,284 2003 Suzuki Liana MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Liana?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.1%).
Does the 2003 Liana get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,284 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.