2000 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 405 MOT tests, the 2000 Suzuki Swift recorded a 70.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 16.1% of tests against 12.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 94 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2000 Swift fails 32.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 33.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.5 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.0% in 2021 to 27.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.1% | 65 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 50 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 44 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 40 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 19 |
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 | 94 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 42 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 28 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 21 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 21 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | Suspension | 30.6% | 124 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.1% | 122 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 92 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.3% | 82 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.3% | 58 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 47 |
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 | 67 | 32.8% |
| 30-60k | 180 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 125 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 106 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 75 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 51 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 48 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Swift
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 16.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.9% 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 2000 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 405 2000 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Suzuki Swift?
Suspension, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).
Does the 2000 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 405 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.