Used car guide

1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Suzuki Wagon-R+ first registered in 1999: we looked at the 129 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 129 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

129MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
45%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
2,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+ than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Coil springs3.2× usual
    Suzuki Wagon-R+
    24.8% All 1999 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At 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.

Common 1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    38% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    35% 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
    33% 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+

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

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 1999 Suzuki Wagon-R+ as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Wagon-R+?

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 Wagon-R+ compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20071,412Brakes 47%
20061,553Brakes 45%
20053,607Suspension 44%
20044,600Suspension 45%
20034,483Suspension 46%
20023,390Brakes 51%
20012,226Brakes 54%
20001,043Brakes 58%
1998–Too few tests
1997–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 Wagon-R+ cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score