Suzuki Sj413 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Suzuki Sj413 appears in 2,055 MOT tests spanning model years 1985–2019, and 77.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 22.3%, so the Sj413 sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and non catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 179 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Sj413 fails 19.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.7% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 22.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.3% in 2021 to 21.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Sj413 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 75 | 74.7% | 25.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 176 | 84.1% | 15.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 200 | 79.0% | 21.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 211 | 75.8% | 24.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 129 | 77.5% | 22.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 183 | 78.7% | 21.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 235 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 290 | 82.1% | 17.9% | Brakes |
| 1993 | 121 | 72.7% | 27.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1994 | 161 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 171 | 73.7% | 26.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 58 | 69.0% | 31.0% | Seat belts & restraints |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 340 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 228 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 181 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 167 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 121 |
| 6 | Suspension | 5.4% | 111 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.8% | 58 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.7% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 179 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 111 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 107 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 93 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 83 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 81 |
| 7 | Headlamp | 80 |
| 8 | Rear fog lamp | 77 |
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 | 22.6% | 465 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 381 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 336 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 328 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.6% | 239 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.2% | 209 |
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 | 321 | 19.9% |
| 30-60k | 434 | 21.7% |
| 60-90k | 808 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 398 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 60 | 21.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 499 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 443 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 402 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 370 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 341 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a Suzuki Sj413
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Sj413?
77.1% of the 2,055 Suzuki Sj413 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.9% fail rate, across model years 1985–2019.
What does the Suzuki Sj413 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, then brakes (11.1%).
How much does mileage affect Sj413 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 21.7% for 120-150k, a 1.7-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,055 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.