2007 Suzuki Wagon=R= — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Suzuki Wagon=R= passed 75.4% of its 3,756 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.5 percentage points better than city cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and brakes (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, wipers and track rod end — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 277 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.5% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 359 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 317 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 270 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 257 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 244 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 219 |
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 | 277 |
| 2 | Wipers | 193 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 184 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 134 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 125 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 116 |
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 | 41.7% | 1,565 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 1,137 |
| 3 | Other defects | 25.8% | 967 |
| 4 | Suspension | 25.6% | 962 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 384 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.4% | 315 |
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 | 262 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,270 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,346 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 640 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 190 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 888 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 817 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 752 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 697 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 602 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Wagon=R=
On a 2007 Wagon=R=, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% 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.
- Suspension (7.2% 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.
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 2007 Suzuki Wagon=R=s pass their MOT?
75.4% of the 3,756 2007 Suzuki Wagon=R= MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Suzuki Wagon=R=?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by brakes (8.4%).
Does the 2007 Wagon=R= get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,756 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.