Suzuki Bandit Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki Bandit car check
Is the Suzuki Bandit reliable? We analysed 20,935 real MOT tests across 1,783 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki Bandit? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki Bandit is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Bandit.
Suzuki Bandit Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki Bandit. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki Bandit MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki Bandit to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki Bandit Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki Bandit fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki Bandit Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki Bandit owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki Bandit MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Bandit year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 93 | 81.7% | 2,574 | 11,426 | 22,913 |
| 2010 | 288 | 91.7% | 6,960 | 12,541 | 28,553 |
| 2009 | 390 | 86.9% | 8,669 | 16,384 | 27,348 |
| 2008 | 527 | 89.2% | 9,827 | 16,606 | 26,847 |
| 2007 | 970 | 86.1% | 8,849 | 15,066 | 28,216 |
| 2006 | 428 | 88.1% | 8,569 | 15,974 | 24,212 |
| 2005 | 402 | 87.3% | 9,908 | 16,258 | 23,354 |
| 2004 | 118 | 87.3% | 11,796 | 20,576 | 29,002 |
| 2003 | 290 | 81.0% | 12,844 | 20,023 | 33,345 |
| 2002 | 463 | 84.4% | 9,749 | 15,771 | 28,971 |
| 2001 | 803 | 82.4% | 14,811 | 22,840 | 36,024 |
| 2000 | 1,357 | 81.1% | 13,676 | 22,730 | 31,501 |
| 1999 | 1,659 | 82.8% | 14,945 | 24,039 | 35,558 |
| 1998 | 2,743 | 82.1% | 17,022 | 26,147 | 39,356 |
| 1997 | 2,717 | 80.8% | 17,890 | 28,206 | 40,383 |
| 1996 | 5,597 | 81.4% | 17,006 | 25,468 | 35,334 |
| 1995 | 1,390 | 76.5% | 18,700 | 26,166 | 35,682 |
| 1994 | 81 | 81.5% | 8,786 | 16,716 | 26,974 |
| 1991 | 98 | 78.6% | 15,577 | 29,415 | 38,653 |
How Long Does a Suzuki Bandit Last?
Based on 1,783 Suzuki Bandit vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki Bandit Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Bandit 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 Bandit
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.7% MOT pass rate from 288 tests
76.5% MOT pass rate from 1,390 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki Bandit is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.7% across 288 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki Bandit Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Bandit THIS CAR | 82.4% | 20,935 | 23,952 mi | 31 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 |
| Mcc Smart Passion Auto (lhd) | 70.7% | 10,351 | 52,471 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Bandit outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki Bandit 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 BanditShould you buy a used Suzuki Bandit?
The Suzuki Bandit has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.4% across 20,935 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Suzuki Bandit are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (276 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (221), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (213). 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 Bandit owner drives around 787 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 Bandit models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.