Suzuki ALTO - 2003
453.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Suzuki ALTO, model year 2003.
Sample size: 400 cars, 869 tests and 3,939 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 400 cars
The 2003 Suzuki Alto has an overall defect rate of 453 per 100 vehicles, which is 20% higher than the average of 378 per 100 for its year. Notably, the model excels in visibility and lights and electrics, where it demonstrates significantly fewer issues compared to the average. However, it struggles with brake defects, as well as problems related to wheels, suspensions, axles, and body structure, all of which are more prevalent than in comparable vehicles. Mileage trends indicate that the defect rate increases with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000 miles category. Overall, while the Alto shows strengths in certain areas, it also has specific weaknesses that potential buyers should consider.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 400 cars
More model years for Suzuki ALTO
Other models from Suzuki
Categories
Brakes
▼ 37.0% worse
232.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▼ 14.3% worse
28.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 35.9% better
19.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 34.6% better
67.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
- Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 30.7% worse
394.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▼ 60.0% worse
104.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▼ 27.2% worse
17.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- A seat belt:
Other
▲ 17.8% better
43.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 409
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 299
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 243
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 192
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 173
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 153
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 113
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 101
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 98
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 96
Serious faults (Top 10)
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 74
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 61
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 60
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 60
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 52
Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
FAIL
Occurrences: 41
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 35
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 35
is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 35
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 34