Suzuki Savage Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki Savage car check
Is the Suzuki Savage reliable? We analysed 1,000 real MOT tests across 120 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki Savage? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki Savage is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Savage.
Suzuki Savage Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki Savage. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki Savage MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki Savage to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki Savage Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki Savage fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki Savage Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki Savage owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki Savage MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Savage year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 79 | 87.3% | 4,556 | 9,943 | 16,184 |
| 2001 | 66 | 89.4% | 9,316 | 18,906 | 23,788 |
| 1998 | 57 | 82.5% | 13,791 | 20,315 | 25,164 |
| 1996 | 73 | 89.0% | 3,997 | 6,732 | 12,071 |
| 1995 | 57 | 86.0% | 8,884 | 12,432 | 20,729 |
| 1994 | 85 | 77.6% | 11,345 | 18,238 | 22,564 |
| 1993 | 80 | 83.8% | 15,090 | 19,488 | 25,146 |
| 1991 | 126 | 84.9% | 11,707 | 17,490 | 27,115 |
| 1990 | 86 | 84.9% | 7,524 | 17,898 | 28,674 |
| 1989 | 73 | 89.0% | 8,118 | 12,286 | 23,818 |
How Long Does a Suzuki Savage Last?
Based on 120 Suzuki Savage vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki Savage Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Savage 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 Savage
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.4% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
77.6% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki Savage is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 66 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki Savage Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Savage THIS CAR | 84.8% | 1,000 | 16,424 mi | 37 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 |
| Maserati Levante Granlusso V6 Auto | 88.2% | 602 | 29,074 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Savage outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki Savage 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 SavageShould you buy a used Suzuki Savage?
The Suzuki Savage has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.8% across 1,000 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 Savage are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (16 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8). 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 Savage owner drives around 274 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 Savage models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.