2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Suzuki Alto MOT pass rate and common faults

5,187 MOT tests in 2024. 61.0% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time61.0%
Failed or needed repairs39.0%
Typical mileage at test68,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,187 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working6.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working6.1%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.9%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    208 marked dangerous
  6. Horn: not working2.4%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.9%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics29.1%
  2. Brakes17.0%
  3. Suspension14.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.8%
  5. Tyres7.2%
  6. Body & chassis5.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded26.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.0%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened16.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Suzuki Alto?

In 2024, 61.0% of 2009 Suzuki Alto cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,187 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Suzuki Alto?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; position lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Suzuki Alto reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).