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Suzuki Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki Unknown car check

Is the Suzuki Unknown reliable? We analysed 11,032 real MOT tests across 5,181 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 11,032 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.9%
Typical Mileage
15,922mi
Annual Mileage
283mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
54yrs

The Suzuki Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Unknown.

Suzuki Unknown Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

86.8%
2020
88.9%
2019
90.6%
2018
88.1%
2017
90.4%
2016
86.3%
2015
88.6%
2014
80.1%
2013
86.7%
2012
85.9%
2011
78.7%
2010
80.4%
2009
87.4%
2008
81.5%
2007
84.2%
2006
78%
2005
82.1%
2004
79.7%
2003
80.5%
2002
80.2%
2001

Suzuki Unknown Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki Unknown fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 32
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 30
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 29

Suzuki Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
77 mi/yr
Typical
283 mi/yr
Average
1,027 mi/yr
Heavy usage
883 mi/yr

Suzuki Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Unknown year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2020 68 86.8% 9,922 15,294 25,054
2019 63 88.9% 3,208 19,375 26,734
2018 117 90.6% 2,690 11,639 37,352
2017 177 88.1% 12,302 29,691 51,982
2016 240 90.4% 4,422 9,082 17,386
2015 263 86.3% 5,196 13,750 33,086
2014 220 88.6% 1,601 4,010 9,218
2013 166 80.1% 1,838 6,158 12,443
2012 98 86.7% 3,562 6,397 13,082
2011 64 85.9% 3,652 6,831 10,724
2010 75 78.7% 3,442 6,621 10,918
2009 92 80.4% 4,079 8,933 25,509
2008 87 87.4% 2,359 12,662 23,440
2007 92 81.5% 1,512 6,936 21,836
2006 76 84.2% 7,344 15,051 107,786
2005 82 78.0% 12,300 34,933 53,735
2004 78 82.1% 417 3,200 25,230
2003 128 79.7% 5,271 13,298 36,240
2002 87 80.5% 11,529 14,191 32,810
2001 86 80.2% 15,838 21,296 28,850

How Long Does a Suzuki Unknown Last?

Based on 5,181 Suzuki Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
31.2 years
Median
35.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
54 years

Suzuki Unknown Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Unknown MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
15,922 mi
75th Percentile
27,296 mi
95th Percentile
54,899 mi
Max Recorded
230,723 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki Unknown

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2018

90.6% MOT pass rate from 117 tests

Year to avoid
2000

74.4% MOT pass rate from 82 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki Unknown is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 117 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki Unknown Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki Unknown THIS CAR 83.9% 11,032 15,922 mi 54 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
Renault Clio Extreme 79.3% 6,972 79,576 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki Unknown?

The Suzuki Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 11,032 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 Unknown are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (32 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (30), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (29). 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 Unknown owner drives around 283 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 54 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.

Suzuki Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki Unknown reliable?
Based on 11,032 MOT tests, the Suzuki Unknown has a 83.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki Unknown?
The most common MOT failures are roller brake test indicates a binding brake, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki Unknown do per year?
The typical Suzuki Unknown does around 283 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki Unknown last?
Most Suzuki Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 54 years based on our analysis of 5,181 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki Unknown?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Suzuki Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki Unknown is 2018 with a 90.6% pass rate across 117 tests.