2018 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 55,748 MOT tests analysed for the 2018 Suzuki Swift, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.3% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (88.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.9% in the 150k+ group versus 6.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.3% | 2,420 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.5% | 1,931 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 1,444 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 1,364 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 1,032 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 86 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 2,506 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,001 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 862 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 801 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 734 |
| 6 | Washers | 468 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.9% | 13,349 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 8,057 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 2,932 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 2,063 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 1,336 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 408 |
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 | 28,424 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 22,263 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 4,305 | 14.8% |
| 90-120k | 603 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 101 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 41,454 | 8.7% |
| Hybrid | 14,294 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,135 | 5.5% |
| 2022 | 11,161 | 7.9% |
| 2023 | 11,159 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 11,041 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 11,252 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Swift
Before buying a 2018 Suzuki Swift, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (4.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% 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 2018 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 55,748 2018 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Suzuki Swift?
Visibility, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by tyres (3.5%).
Does the 2018 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 55,748 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.