2012 Suzuki Alto MOT pass rate: 74.7% (13,598 tests)
Is the 2012 Alto getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75.8% +3.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 74.2% +3.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 73.9% +3.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Alto
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 2,345 | 25.7% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,879 | 20.6% |
| 3 | Suspension | 1,879 | 20.6% |
| 4 | Tyres | 1,039 | 11.4% |
| 5 | Visibility | 857 | 9.4% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 497 | 5.4% |
All Alto years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,610 | 56.3% | -8.0 pts | 54,078 |
| 2005 | 3,057 | 57.3% | -7.1 pts | 54,851 |
| 2006 | 1,922 | 56.8% | -7.6 pts | 54,255 |
| 2009 | 15,265 | 71.2% | +4.8 pts | 67,464 |
| 2010 | 12,933 | 71.4% | +4.0 pts | 67,242 |
| 2011 | 13,241 | 74.3% | +5.1 pts | 64,110 |
| 2012 (this page) | 13,598 | 74.7% | +3.5 pts | 59,122 |
| 2013 | 34,575 | 77.1% | +3.8 pts | 54,119 |
| 2014 | 37,703 | 79.3% | +3.4 pts | 47,737 |
| 2015 | 5,378 | 80.0% | +1.3 pts | 44,306 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Suzuki Alto years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2012 Suzuki Alto reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 74.7% of their MOT tests (13,598 tests, 2023–2025), +3.5 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 59,122 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Alto?
The median tested example shows 59,122 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.