2008 Suzuki Sx4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,508 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Suzuki Sx4, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.4% was below the average for small SUVs of a similar age (72.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 19.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.5% | 3,242 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 2,342 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 2,160 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 1,157 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,029 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 990 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,539 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,492 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,324 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,200 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 805 |
| 6 | Wipers | 737 |
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 | 40.2% | 7,446 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.8% | 7,366 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.6% | 5,488 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 2,608 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.8% | 2,365 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 2,077 |
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 | 213 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,618 | 23.0% |
| 60-90k | 6,537 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 6,185 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,345 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 605 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 15,846 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 2,662 | 31.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,426 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 4,141 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 3,767 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 3,292 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 2,882 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sx4
Before buying a 2008 Suzuki Sx4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.5% 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 (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.7% 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 2008 Suzuki Sx4s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 18,508 2008 Suzuki Sx4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Suzuki Sx4?
Suspension, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.7%).
Does the 2008 Sx4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,508 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.