2020 Suzuki Swace Sz-T Hev — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Suzuki Swace Sz-T Hev passed 92.2% of its 617 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.9%) and visibility (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 17 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.3% versus 5.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.9% | 30 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.4% | 21 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 12 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 2 | Wipers | 16 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | Bonnet | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.2% | 131 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 74 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.8% | 36 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 35 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 7 |
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 | 246 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 245 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 74 | 6.8% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 189 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 202 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 206 | 8.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Swace Sz-T Hev
On a 2020 Swace Sz-T Hev, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Suzuki Swace Sz-T Hevs pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 617 2020 Suzuki Swace Sz-T Hev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Suzuki Swace Sz-T Hev?
Tyres, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.4%).
Does the 2020 Swace Sz-T Hev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 617 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.