2003 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Suzuki Swift passed 70.2% of its 670 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.3%, so the 2003 Swift sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.2%) and brakes (11.9%) 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 prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 92 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.7% versus 28.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.9% in 2021 to 28.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.2% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 80 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 79 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 75 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.2% | 48 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.0% | 47 |
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 | 92 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 53 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 45 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 40 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 38 |
| 6 | Wipers | 38 |
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% | 221 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.6% | 212 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.5% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 144 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 103 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.4% | 70 |
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 | 100 | 28.0% |
| 30-60k | 300 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 194 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 75 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 210 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 166 | 33.7% |
| 2023 | 121 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 93 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 80 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Swift
On a 2003 Swift, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.2% 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.
- Brakes (11.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% 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 2003 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 670 2003 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Swift?
Suspension, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by brakes (11.9%).
Does the 2003 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 670 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.