2023 Suzuki Swift — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 304 MOT tests, the 2023 Suzuki Swift recorded a 98.0% pass rate. That is 3.1 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 5.1%. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (2.0%) and brakes (1.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and washers — wipers alone was recorded 6 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 2.0% | 6 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.0% | 3 |
| 3 | Tyres | 0.3% | 1 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 1 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 6 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 3 | Washers | 2 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1 |
| 6 | Undertray | 1 |
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 | 7.9% | 24 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 18 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.3% | 7 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 6 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 254 | 2.0% |
| 30-60k | 49 | 2.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Swift
On a 2023 Swift, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (2.0% 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.
- Brakes (1.0% 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.
- Tyres (0.3% 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.
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 2023 Suzuki Swifts pass their MOT?
98.0% of the 304 2023 Suzuki Swift MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 2.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Suzuki Swift?
Visibility, recorded in 2.0% of tests, followed by brakes (1.0%).
Does the 2023 Swift get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.0% in the 0-30k band to 2.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 304 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.