2002 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
1,737 MOT tests on the 2002 Suzuki Swift are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. 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 brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (14.1%) 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, service brake performance and service brake imbalance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 273 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 30.5% in the 0-30k band and 34.6% in the 90-120k band, a 4.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% 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 27.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.1% | 245 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 244 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.4% | 216 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 179 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 112 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 109 |
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 | 273 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 150 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 148 |
| 4 | Wipers | 119 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 101 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 100 |
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 | 34.7% | 602 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.1% | 540 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.1% | 453 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 321 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.0% | 191 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 168 |
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 | 338 | 30.5% |
| 30-60k | 701 | 27.5% |
| 60-90k | 563 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 133 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 558 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 410 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 309 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 239 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 221 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Swift
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.4% 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.
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 2002 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 1,737 2002 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Suzuki Swift?
Brakes, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.1%).
Does the 2002 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,737 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.