Suzuki AP50 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki AP50 car check
Is the Suzuki AP50 reliable? We analysed 9,254 real MOT tests across 2,104 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki AP50? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki AP50 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki AP50.
Suzuki AP50 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki AP50. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki AP50 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki AP50 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki AP50 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki AP50 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki AP50 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki AP50 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki AP50 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki AP50 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 477 | 77.8% | 4,128 | 6,731 | 9,532 |
| 2002 | 1,247 | 74.9% | 4,549 | 7,046 | 9,985 |
| 2001 | 1,099 | 73.0% | 4,942 | 7,553 | 10,709 |
| 2000 | 1,822 | 72.1% | 5,036 | 7,512 | 10,732 |
| 1999 | 1,822 | 72.8% | 5,429 | 8,196 | 11,205 |
| 1998 | 1,269 | 72.2% | 6,008 | 8,807 | 12,063 |
| 1997 | 585 | 73.0% | 6,506 | 10,170 | 14,626 |
| 1996 | 406 | 74.6% | 3,968 | 8,133 | 12,366 |
| 1977 | 176 | 85.2% | 6,304 | 10,870 | 17,576 |
| 1976 | 206 | 84.0% | 7,228 | 14,590 | 21,871 |
How Long Does a Suzuki AP50 Last?
Based on 2,104 Suzuki AP50 vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki AP50 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki AP50 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki AP50
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.2% MOT pass rate from 176 tests
72.1% MOT pass rate from 1,822 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki AP50 is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.2% across 176 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki AP50 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki AP50 THIS CAR | 73.9% | 9,254 | 8,006 mi | 50 yrs |
| Suzuki Swift | 76.1% | 2,247,517 | 51,601 mi | 31 yrs |
| Suzuki Alto | 74% | 1,154,186 | 41,167 mi | 28 yrs |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 76.2% | 1,025,634 | 67,542 mi | 28 yrs |
| Vauxhall Crossland X Sri Nav | 87.3% | 4,528 | 39,041 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki AP50 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki AP50 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Suzuki AP50Should you buy a used Suzuki AP50?
The Suzuki AP50 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.9% across 9,254 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Suzuki AP50 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (789 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (240), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (233). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Suzuki AP50 owner drives around 511 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Suzuki AP50 models stay on UK roads for around 50 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.