2007 Suzuki SX4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Suzuki SX4 passed 69.9% of its 17,844 recorded MOT tests. Against small SUVs of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), the 2007 SX4 comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — coil spring alone was recorded 1,601 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.6% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.1% of the time against 30.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 3,322 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 2,332 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 2,198 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 1,408 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 1,038 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,000 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,601 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,477 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,391 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,215 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 868 |
| 6 | Wipers | 810 |
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 | 38.8% | 6,930 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.7% | 6,724 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 5,136 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 2,764 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.1% | 2,523 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 2,133 |
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 | 223 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,071 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,711 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,085 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,959 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 790 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,696 | 30.1% |
| Diesel | 1,148 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,330 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 3,978 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 3,641 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 3,175 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 2,720 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 SX4
On a 2007 SX4, 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 2007 Suzuki SX4s pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 17,844 2007 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Suzuki SX4?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.1%).
Does the 2007 SX4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,844 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.