2009 Suzuki SX4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Suzuki SX4 passed 71.1% of its 14,179 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.2% 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 1,201 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.5% versus 16.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.0pp more often than petrol ones (31.2% vs 28.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.2% | 2,579 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 1,792 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 1,664 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 790 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 787 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 748 |
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 | 1,201 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,105 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,051 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 928 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 609 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 607 |
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 | 38.0% | 5,389 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.0% | 5,111 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 3,990 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.9% | 1,834 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 1,654 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 1,525 |
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 | 295 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,539 | 23.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,363 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,137 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,462 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 382 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,943 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 3,236 | 31.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,273 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 3,083 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 2,915 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 2,616 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 2,292 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 SX4
On a 2009 SX4, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.2% 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 (12.6% 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 2009 Suzuki SX4s pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 14,179 2009 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Suzuki SX4?
Suspension, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.6%).
Does the 2009 SX4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,179 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.