Used car guide

2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the hybrid Suzuki Swift first registered in 2019 (hybrid cars only): we looked at the 5,553 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,553MOTs of 2019 hybrid cars, done in 2023–2025
88%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Braking performance4.9× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    4.4% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Wipers2× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    6.3% All 2019 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Rigid brake pipes11.5× usual
    Suzuki Swift
    2.3% All 2019 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At 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.

Common 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    17% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Brake servo and airbag recalls (built to mid-2019)

    Built to June 2019

    Cars built Oct 2017 to June 2019 may have a faulty brake servo that loses brake assistance, and cars built up to Feb 2019 were recalled because side airbags and pre-tensioners could go off when they shouldn’t.

    At the viewing: Ask a Suzuki dealer to confirm both recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review

  • Phone connection dropping out

    All engines

    Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can disconnect at random.

    At the viewing: Connect your phone and drive for a while.

    Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review

  • Corroded diamond-cut alloys

    Cars with diamond-cut wheels

    Diamond-cut alloys can corrode once the lacquer is damaged.

    At the viewing: Look at the wheels for bubbling or white corrosion.

    Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Swift (Mk7, 2017-2024) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid

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

  1. Have the brake servo and airbag recalls been done?
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 11.5× as often on the 2019 Suzuki Swift hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Swift?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Suzuki Swift compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023290Tyres 8%
20224,826Tyres 14%
202114,926Tyres 17%
202023,909Tyres 25%
201830,001Tyres 29%
201723,987Tyres 29%
201631,055Tyres 28%
201536,867Tyres 29%
201429,975Brakes 31%
201326,030Brakes 33%
201226,921Brakes 39%
201118,714Brakes 43%
201018,099Brakes 48%
200920,802Suspension 53%
200822,126Suspension 56%
200721,373Suspension 57%
200612,278Suspension 59%
20054,051Suspension 62%
2003237Brakes 37%
2002604Brakes 44%
2001298Brakes 43%
2000138Suspension 44%
1999111Brakes 39%
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests

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 Swift cars first registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score