2011 Suzuki Alto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,197 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Suzuki Alto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 79.8% was above the average for city cars of a similar age (77.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.7% in the 150k+ group versus 11.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 3,482 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 2,250 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 2,025 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 1,765 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 1,505 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 648 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,955 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,466 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,255 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 946 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 927 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 909 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.3% | 9,676 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.5% | 9,152 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 7,984 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 3,478 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 2,699 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.2% | 2,318 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,205 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 10,441 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 9,763 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,778 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 825 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 177 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,903 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 5,809 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 5,717 | 20.2% |
| 2024 | 5,528 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 5,240 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Alto
Before buying a 2011 Suzuki Alto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2011 Suzuki Altos pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 28,197 2011 Suzuki Alto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Suzuki Alto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.0%).
Does the 2011 Alto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,197 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.