Suzuki Carry MOT pass rate and common problems
66.2% of 5,449 Suzuki Carry MOT tests pass.
The Carry passes 66.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Suzuki models (79.9%).
The Suzuki Carry passes 66.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Suzuki Carry?
This is the average across every Suzuki Carry in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Suzuki’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 77.1% at 3–6 years to 64.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (22) | 22 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 77.1% | 35 | 25,024 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (27) | 27 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 93.7% | 380 | 30,147 miles |
| 15+ years | 64.0% | 4,985 | 86,032 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Suzuki Carry
The most common reason the Suzuki Carry fails its MOT is suspension — present in 68.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 68.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 60.3% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 33.8% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 32.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Brakes | 29.2% | Excessively corroded |
| Visibility | 18.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 16.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Suzuki Carry: what to check
These checks follow the Suzuki Carry’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Suzuki Carry comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.7% to 64.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 92.0% down to 73.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 68.7% of failed Suzuki Carry MOTs. 30.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 8.6% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 60.3% of failed Suzuki Carry MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 33.8% of failed Suzuki Carry MOTs. 15.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 2.9% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 32.5% of failed Suzuki Carry MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 29.2% of failed Suzuki Carry MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Suzuki service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Suzuki models
- Suzuki Splash — 68.8% pass rate
- Suzuki Wagon-R+ — 61.3% pass rate
- Suzuki Baleno — 78.6% pass rate
- Suzuki SX4 S-Cross — 95.5% pass rate
- Suzuki Swace — 92.7% pass rate
- Suzuki Liana — 57.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki Carry?
- 66.2% of Suzuki Carry MOT tests pass, based on 5,449 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Suzuki Carry?
- The most common reason the Suzuki Carry fails its MOT is suspension — present in 68.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Suzuki Carry?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Suzuki Carry are suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion. 30.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 8.6% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Suzuki Carry?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Suzuki Carry's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Suzuki service history guide for how to check and keep one.