2012 Suzuki Swift MOT pass rate: 77.1% (26,805 tests)
Is the 2012 Swift getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 78.8% +6.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 77.0% +6.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 75.5% +5.2 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 Swift
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 5,541 | 32.7% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4,142 | 24.4% |
| 3 | Suspension | 2,311 | 13.6% |
| 4 | Tyres | 2,169 | 12.8% |
| 5 | Visibility | 1,341 | 7.9% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 619 | 3.7% |
All Swift years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4,007 | 57.2% | -7.2 pts | 95,622 |
| 2006 | 12,157 | 57.4% | -7.0 pts | 95,776 |
| 2007 | 21,203 | 59.1% | -6.0 pts | 92,072 |
| 2008 | 21,955 | 59.5% | -5.7 pts | 91,428 |
| 2009 | 20,653 | 61.2% | -5.2 pts | 84,993 |
| 2010 | 18,011 | 65.1% | -2.3 pts | 81,760 |
| 2011 | 18,645 | 73.1% | +3.9 pts | 79,880 |
| 2012 (this page) | 26,805 | 77.1% | +5.9 pts | 75,559 |
| 2013 | 25,923 | 79.6% | +6.3 pts | 67,832 |
| 2014 | 29,880 | 82.0% | +6.2 pts | 60,258 |
| 2015 | 36,714 | 85.1% | +6.3 pts | 54,686 |
| 2016 | 30,954 | 86.2% | +4.9 pts | 48,555 |
| 2017 | 23,909 | 87.6% | +3.6 pts | 41,263 |
| 2018 | 29,894 | 88.9% | +2.6 pts | 36,014 |
| 2019 | 32,511 | 91.8% | +3.4 pts | 28,643 |
| 2020 | 3,742 | 94.5% | +4.6 pts | 21,712 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Suzuki Swift years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2012 Suzuki Swift reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 77.1% of their MOT tests (26,805 tests, 2023–2025), +5.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 75,559 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Swift?
The median tested example shows 75,559 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.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Swift?
In this cohort petrols pass 77.7% of tests against 68.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
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.