Suzuki Ignis common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Suzuki Ignis, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 87,898 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2008 Suzuki Ignis
Too few Suzuki Ignis cars first registered in 2008 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Suzuki Ignis as a whole.
What to check on a 2008 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016200820072006200520042003200220012000
What usually goes wrong with a Suzuki Ignis?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2017–2018 · Some cars
Stalling recalls: software and starter-generator belt (2018)
Two 2018 recalls: software that could stop the battery charging and stall the engine, and a starter-generator belt that could snap, disabling the water pump.
At the viewing: Ask a Suzuki dealer to confirm both recalls were done.
Source: What Car?: used Suzuki Ignis (2016-2025) reliability
- Cars registered 2017–2025 · All engines
Cold judder (automatic) and infotainment freezes
A few automatics judder on cold starts, and some early Pioneer infotainment units froze or wouldn't switch on.
At the viewing: Drive it from cold and try the screen.
Source: What Car?: used Suzuki Ignis (2016-2025) reliability
Common Suzuki Ignis MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Coil springs
up to 8.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Wipers
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Rigid brake pipes
up to 3.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Hybrid
Coil springs
up to 6.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suzuki Ignis MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Suzuki Ignis did best (93% passed first time, 6 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2005 did worst (55%, 2 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 98% | 92% +6 | 105 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 94% | 89% +5 | 2,705 |
| 2021 | 93% | 87% +6 | 7,747 |
| 2020 | 92% | 87% +5 | 11,809 |
| 2019 | 87% | 85% +2 | 10,825 |
| 2018 | 84% | 83% +1 | 17,340 |
| 2017 | 80% | 80% +0 | 18,013 |
| 2016 | 78% | 77% +1 | 776 |
| 2007 | 58% | 57% +1 | 3,133 |
| 2006 | 57% | 56% +1 | 2,656 |
| 2005 | 55% | 57% -2 | 3,500 |
| 2004 | 58% | 57% +1 | 3,531 |
| 2003 | 56% | 57% -1 | 2,576 |
| 2002 | 57% | 58% -1 | 1,773 |
| 2001 | 54% | 60% -6 | 1,260 |
| 2000 | 49% | 61% -12 | 149 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Suzuki Ignis
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the 2018 software and belt recalls been done?
- Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the Suzuki Ignis as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the Suzuki Ignis as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Suzuki Ignis as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Suzuki Ignis?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score