Used car guide

1999 Suzuki Carry: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Suzuki Carry first registered in 1999: we looked at the 163 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 163 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

163MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
48%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
3,200typical miles a year
37%had suspension flagged

Common 1999 Suzuki Carry MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Suzuki Carry MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Suzuki Carry

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Carry?

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Other years

Every year of the Suzuki Carry compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006182Brakes 32%
20052,845Suspension 38%
20042,872Suspension 38%
20031,973Suspension 41%
20021,295Suspension 42%
2001771Suspension 43%
2000512Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Suzuki Carry cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score