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Suzuki X5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Suzuki X5 car check

Is the Suzuki X5 reliable? We analysed 659 real MOT tests across 110 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 659 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.5%
Typical Mileage
23,586mi
Annual Mileage
176mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
47yrs

The Suzuki X5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, horn not working and steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki X5.

Suzuki X5 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Suzuki X5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Suzuki X5 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Suzuki X5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

96.2%
1982
88.2%
1981
89%
1980
84.5%
1979

Suzuki X5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Suzuki X5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 6
Horn not working 5
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 3
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 3
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 2
Brake pad(s) contaminated by oil or grease 2
wheel spindle securing nut locking device missing 2
Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp 2
Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute 2

Suzuki X5 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Suzuki X5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
56 mi/yr
Typical
176 mi/yr
Average
406 mi/yr
Heavy usage
459 mi/yr

Suzuki X5 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki X5 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 78 96.2% 23,646 33,586 39,220
1981 161 88.2% 17,656 22,841 26,261
1980 245 89.0% 15,866 24,460 30,722
1979 168 84.5% 13,032 17,733 32,033

How Long Does a Suzuki X5 Last?

Based on 110 Suzuki X5 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
35.6 years
Median
36.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
47 years

Suzuki X5 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki X5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
23,586 mi
75th Percentile
31,014 mi
95th Percentile
46,580 mi
Max Recorded
509,359 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki X5

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

Best year
1982

96.2% MOT pass rate from 78 tests

Year to avoid
1979

84.5% MOT pass rate from 168 tests

The best year to buy a used Suzuki X5 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.2% across 78 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Suzuki X5 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Suzuki X5 THIS CAR 88.5% 659 23,586 mi 47 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
Seat Leon First Edition Etsi Evo Sa 87.9% 1,129 28,304 mi — yrs

Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki X5 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Suzuki X5 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.

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Should you buy a used Suzuki X5?

The Suzuki X5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.5% across 659 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 X5 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (6 recorded failures), horn not working (5), and steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing (4). 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 X5 owner drives around 176 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 X5 models stay on UK roads for around 47 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 X5 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Suzuki X5 reliable?
Based on 659 MOT tests, the Suzuki X5 has a 88.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Suzuki X5?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, horn not working, and steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Suzuki X5 do per year?
The typical Suzuki X5 does around 176 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Suzuki X5 last?
Most Suzuki X5 models stay on UK roads for around 47 years based on our analysis of 110 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Suzuki X5?
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 X5?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Suzuki X5 is 1982 with a 96.2% pass rate across 78 tests.