Small car · 2001–2009 cars
Suzuki Liana reliability
The Suzuki Liana fails 48.6% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,233 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Suzuki Liana before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 48.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,233
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Suzuki Liana ages
Each point is the share of Suzuki Lianas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Suzuki Liana | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 51.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 44.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 47.9% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 46.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 52.8% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 49.5% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 51.8% | 41.4% |
By year
The best and worst Suzuki Liana years
2004 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 827 | 46.1% | 16% more fails | 80,991 |
| 2006 | 768 | 46.2% | 15% more fails | 82,196 |
| 2005 Liana | 1,273 | 50.7% | 21% more fails | 90,069 |
| 2004 Liana | 1,128 | 47.6% | 13% more fails | 90,889 |
| 2003 | 598 | 49.3% | 22% more fails | 81,553 |
| 2002 | 495 | 52.3% | 34% more fails | 75,431 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Suzuki Liana
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 101% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.4%27% above avg
- Lights and electrics19.1%2% below avg
- Brakes16.7%42% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure15.8%101% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.9%56% above avg
- Tyres7.7%20% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.5%5% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.7%29% below avg
- Steering1%71% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 10.22% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 5.75% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.62% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.41% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Position lamp not working 4.03% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.88% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 7
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.88% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.8% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Suzuki Liana's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.27%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy16.7%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion12.69%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.59%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive7.87%
- Number plate lettering deteriorating7.05%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Suzuki Liana
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- LPG0.1%
- Diesel0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Beige, Black, Red, Blue
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Suzuki Liana compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Vitz | 12.6% | 50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Cube | 29.3% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Figaro | 36.7% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZR | 37.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Liana | 48.6% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Accent | 46.1% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Kalos | 53.6% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Suzuki models.
Questions
Suzuki Liana questions, answered
Is the Suzuki Liana reliable?
On MOT results, the Suzuki Liana is below average: it fails 48.6% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Suzuki Liana MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Liana are cv joint boot split or insecure (10.22% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.75% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.62% of tests). By area, suspension fails 19.4% of its tests.
Which Suzuki Liana year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (21% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Suzuki Liana before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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