2005 Suzuki Liana — MOT failures & pass rate
2,558 MOT tests on the 2005 Suzuki Liana are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 3.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.5%) and suspension (14.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, service brake performance and stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 277 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.8% versus 14.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 378 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 312 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 310 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 206 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.1% | 181 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 277 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 194 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 170 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 168 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 157 |
| 6 | Wipers | 141 |
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 | 42.0% | 1,074 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.1% | 795 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.4% | 752 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 577 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 488 |
| 6 | Other defects | 18.7% | 479 |
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 | 48 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 402 | 27.4% |
| 60-90k | 861 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 838 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 311 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 97 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 761 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 605 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 502 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 405 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 285 | 33.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Liana
On a 2005 Liana, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
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 Lianas pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 2,558 2005 Suzuki Liana MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Suzuki Liana?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2005 Liana get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,558 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.