2013 Suzuki SX4 — MOT failures & pass rate
21,257 MOT tests on the 2013 Suzuki SX4 are in this dataset, and 78.2% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (20.6% fail rate), the 2013 SX4 comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 12.6% of tests against 7.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and rigid brake pipes — coil spring alone was recorded 1,789 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.5% versus 14.7%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 21.4% fail against 23.3% for diesel, a 1.9-point gap across 21,257 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.6% | 2,669 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 1,574 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 1,278 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 1,101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 846 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 210 |
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 | 1,789 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 899 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 810 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 794 |
| 5 | Wipers | 696 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 565 |
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 | 29.4% | 6,240 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.4% | 5,404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.6% | 4,370 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.3% | 1,754 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 857 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 728 |
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 | 1,643 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 7,978 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 7,615 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,988 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 832 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 200 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 17,264 | 21.4% |
| Diesel | 3,993 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,225 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 4,200 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 4,350 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 4,281 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 4,201 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 SX4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
- Brakes (7.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% 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 2013 Suzuki SX4s pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 21,257 2013 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Suzuki SX4?
Suspension, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by brakes (7.4%).
Does the 2013 SX4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,257 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.