2010 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,669 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Suzuki Swift, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.3% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (74.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.6% in the 150k+ group versus 14.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.8% | 5,749 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 5,630 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.5% | 5,204 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 2,256 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 2,066 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 943 |
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 | 2,758 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,530 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 2,265 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 2,247 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2,080 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 2,056 |
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 | 39.4% | 16,410 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.8% | 13,240 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 11,214 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.7% | 5,718 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 3,277 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 2,898 |
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 | 1,530 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 9,257 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 16,161 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 10,780 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,218 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 718 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 39,663 | 25.5% |
| Diesel | 2,006 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,806 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 8,765 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 8,483 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 8,090 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 7,525 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Swift
Before buying a 2010 Suzuki Swift, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.5% 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 2010 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 41,669 2010 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Suzuki Swift?
Suspension, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.5%).
Does the 2010 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,669 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.