2020 Suzuki SX4 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,862 MOT tests on the 2020 Suzuki SX4 are in this dataset, and 95.6% of them passed. That is 3.5 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 7.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.3%) and visibility (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 135 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 SX4 fails 2.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 3.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 3.8% of the time against 4.9% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 94 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.3% | 93 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.1% | 60 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 25 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 135 |
| 2 | Wipers | 104 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 46 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 16 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.8% | 509 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.8% | 224 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 131 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 81 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 18 |
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 | 1,901 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 884 | 7.8% |
| 60-90k | 65 | 3.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,638 | 4.9% |
| Hybrid | 1,224 | 3.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 974 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 931 | 4.3% |
| 2025 | 933 | 4.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 SX4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 3.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.1% 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 2020 Suzuki SX4s pass their MOT?
95.6% of the 2,862 2020 Suzuki SX4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Suzuki SX4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (3.3%).
Does the 2020 SX4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 3.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,862 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.