2007 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 54,990 MOT tests, the 2007 Suzuki Swift recorded a 70.0% pass rate. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 4,159 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.0% in the 0-30k band and 33.7% in the 150k+ band, a 17.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.1pp more often than petrol ones (34.0% vs 29.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 10,239 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.8% | 8,168 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 7,708 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 3,128 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 3,033 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 2,831 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 4,159 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 3,662 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 3,383 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,140 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3,046 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 2,732 |
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 | 41.4% | 22,766 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.9% | 22,494 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 15,202 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 6,177 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.1% | 6,095 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 6,072 |
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 | 1,045 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 7,601 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 19,135 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 18,582 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 7,054 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,530 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 53,931 | 29.9% |
| Diesel | 1,057 | 34.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,584 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 12,344 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 11,191 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 9,789 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 8,082 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Swift
On a 2007 Swift, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.6% 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 (14.8% 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 (14.0% 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 2007 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 54,990 2007 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Suzuki Swift?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (14.8%).
Does the 2007 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 54,990 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.