At a Glance
The Suzuki Alto has 39 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk5 (2002-2009) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 815K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Suzuki Alto common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Suzuki Alto generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Suzuki Alto Generations
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Most Common Suzuki Alto MOT Failures
Every reason Suzuki Alto vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.88% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.69% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.07% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.70% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.60% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 5.52% |
| 7 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.41% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.28% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 4.16% |
| 10 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 4.14% |
| 11 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.66% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.92% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.76% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 2.74% |
| 15 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.10% |
| 16 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.94% |
| 17 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.68% |
| 18 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.48% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.44% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.33% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.22% |
| 22 | Rear suspension fault | 1.19% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.06% |
| 24 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.88% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.87% |
| 26 | Track rod end worn | 0.84% |
| 27 | Position lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 28 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.61% |
| 29 | Front suspension fault | 0.58% |
| 30 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.57% |
| 31 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.54% |
| 32 | Chassis condition | 0.52% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.48% |
| 34 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.47% |
| 35 | Steering rack fault | 0.47% |
| 36 | ABS fault | 0.44% |
| 37 | Airbag warning light on | 0.42% |
| 38 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.42% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.42% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.39% |
| 41 | Parking brake condition | 0.34% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.32% |
| 43 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.28% |
| 44 | Horn not working | 0.28% |
| 45 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.24% |
| 46 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.23% |
| 47 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.23% |
| 48 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.23% |
| 49 | Seat belt condition | 0.22% |
| 50 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.16% |
| 51 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 52 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.14% |
| 53 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 54 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 55 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 56 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 57 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 58 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 60 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 62 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 63 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 64 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 65 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 68 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 70 | CV joint worn | 0.05% |
| 71 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Brake pedal fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 83 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 87 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 88 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 97 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 98 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 100 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 106 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 110 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 132 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 133 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 139 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 146 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 155 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 165 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 166 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 178 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 184 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Suzuki Alto MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Suzuki Alto, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Suzuki Alto problems?
Based on analysis of 815K Suzuki Alto MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 39 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Suzuki Alto generation has the most problems?
The Suzuki Alto Mk5 (2002-2009) (2002–2009) has the highest number of identified common problems (33). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Suzuki Alto?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Suzuki Alto owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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