Used car guide

2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Suzuki SX4 first registered in 2006 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 116 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 116 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

116MOTs of 2006 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
46%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Suzuki SX4
    32.8% All 2006 cars
    14%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.5% of all 2006 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 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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
    54% 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.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% 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 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Suzuki SX4 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki SX4?

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 SX4 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023273Tyres 18%
20222,763Tyres 15%
20213,424Tyres 18%
20202,696Tyres 20%
20196,041Tyres 23%
20188,039Tyres 27%
20179,612Tyres 27%
201610,093Tyres 29%
201511,194Tyres 30%
201419,136Brakes 32%
20139,933Brakes 36%
20125,827Suspension 48%
20116,671Suspension 50%
20106,077Suspension 52%
20095,778Suspension 55%
20087,373Suspension 56%
20076,942Suspension 54%

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 SX4 cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score