2014 Suzuki SX4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 38,272 MOT tests, the 2014 Suzuki SX4 recorded an 84.0% pass rate. Against small SUVs of a similar age (18.6% fail rate), the 2014 SX4 comes out 2.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.8%) and suspension (5.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and rigid brake pipes — tread depth alone was recorded 1,796 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.8pp more often than petrol ones (19.8% vs 15.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 2,203 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.7% | 2,172 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.5% | 2,094 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 2,067 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 1,261 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 302 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,796 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,109 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 932 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 924 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 798 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 723 |
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 | 26.9% | 10,284 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.4% | 9,729 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 4,710 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.9% | 3,394 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,363 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 1,311 |
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 | 2,870 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 14,845 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 13,581 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,303 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,328 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 343 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 30,610 | 15.0% |
| Diesel | 7,651 | 19.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,516 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 7,591 | 14.1% |
| 2023 | 7,671 | 15.9% |
| 2024 | 7,758 | 17.8% |
| 2025 | 7,736 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2014 SX4
On a 2014 SX4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.7% 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.
- Tyres (5.5% 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 2014 Suzuki SX4s pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 38,272 2014 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Suzuki SX4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by suspension (5.7%).
Does the 2014 SX4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,272 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.