2006 Suzuki Liana — MOT failures & pass rate
1,586 MOT tests on the 2006 Suzuki Liana are in this dataset, and 69.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), the 2006 Liana comes out 3.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.1%) 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, rigid brake pipes and stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 178 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 38.7% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.3% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 240 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 234 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 194 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 194 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 130 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 91 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 178 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 121 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 110 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 99 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 89 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 87 |
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 | 37.0% | 587 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 502 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 442 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.7% | 281 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.2% | 273 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 270 |
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 | 83 | 20.5% |
| 30-60k | 271 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 611 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 453 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 142 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 484 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 373 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 294 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 245 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 190 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Liana
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% 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 2006 Suzuki Lianas pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 1,586 2006 Suzuki Liana MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Suzuki Liana?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2006 Liana get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.5% in the 0-30k band to 38.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,586 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.