2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT pass rate and common faults

1,470 MOT tests in 2024. 53.3% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time53.3%
Failed or needed repairs46.7%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,470 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.4%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.0%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.9%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.5%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.4%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.4%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.9%
    56 marked dangerous
  9. Stop lamp: not working2.8%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.7%
  2. Suspension19.9%
  3. Brakes17.2%
  4. Body & chassis13.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.4%
  6. Tyres10.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  8. Steering5.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded28.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure18.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.9%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened15.7%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2002 Wagon-R+All Wagon-R+ years2004 Wagon-R+ →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

In 2024, 53.3% of 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,470 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).