2012 Suzuki Alto · 15,647 MOT tests
2012 Suzuki Alto reliability
2012 Suzuki Altos fail 33% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 11 Alto years (15,647 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2012 Suzuki Alto?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Suzuki Altos: 33.4%)
- 33%
- first-time fail rate (all Suzuki Altos: 33.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 55,505
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 15,647
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 1.2% of tests fail here (90% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 26% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Suzuki Alto
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.5%
- Brakes8.6%
- Suspension8.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%
- Tyres5.8%
- Body, chassis and structure3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 4.55%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.31%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 3.92%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.8%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.5%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.28%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.61%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.38%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.93%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.02%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (6.95%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.78%)
Other years
Every Suzuki Alto year
The full picture: Suzuki Alto reliability. Before you pay for any Suzuki Alto, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Suzuki Alto reliable?
2012 Suzuki Altos fail 33% of first MOT tests, 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 11 Alto years (15,647 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Suzuki Alto MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (4.55% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.31% of tests), position lamp not working (3.92% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Suzuki Alto have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Suzuki Alto shows 55,505 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Check a 2012 Suzuki Alto free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.