2012 Suzuki Swift MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.5% of Suzuki Swifts first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 27,154 Swift first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Suzuki Swifts first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Swifts first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Swift figure was 1.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Swift | All cars first used 2012 | Swift first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72.6% | 68.8% | 9,348 |
| 2022 | 70.1% | 67.4% | 9,262 |
| 2023 | 67.8% | 65.6% | 9,218 |
| 2024 | 66.6% | 64.3% | 9,078 |
| 2025 | 64.5% | 63.5% | 8,858 |
Common 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT failures
Share of the 9,139 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 21.6% | 1,974 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 21.2% | 1,942 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 10.7% | 979 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 9.5% | 868 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 9.3% | 854 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2012 Suzuki Swift before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Swifts, as a share of all 27,154 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 20.2% | 5,476 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.1% | 4,365 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.5% | 3,110 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.7% | 2,915 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.6% | 2,325 |
Questions about the 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Suzuki Swift?
In 2025, 64.5% of Swifts first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Swift most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 54.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (30.2%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (19.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (21.6%).
How often does a 2012 Suzuki Swift fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.5% of first tests on Swifts first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 24.5% failed, and a further 11.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 9,139 of 27,154 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Suzuki Swift MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 20.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.5%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.7%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.6%).
Is a 2012 Suzuki Swift reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 72.6% in 2021 to 64.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Swift?
The numbers above cover every Swift first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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