1999 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
327 MOT tests on the 1999 Suzuki Swift are in this dataset, and 69.1% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (15.0%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 69 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.6% versus 26.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.6% in 2021 to 29.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 43 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 34 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.2% | 30 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.0% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 69 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 30 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 29 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Joints | 19 |
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 | 33.0% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 96 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.6% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.8% | 81 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.0% | 49 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 45 |
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 | 42 | 26.2% |
| 30-60k | 150 | 32.0% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 110 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 79 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 63 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 44 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 31 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Swift
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 15.0% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.0% 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+.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% 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 1999 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 327 1999 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Suzuki Swift?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 1999 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 327 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.