2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,814 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.3% in the 150k+ group versus 17.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 1,497 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,485 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 1,129 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 989 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 849 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 691 |
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 | 819 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 645 |
| 3 | Joints | 542 |
| 4 | Wipers | 524 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 522 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 429 |
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 | 40.1% | 4,741 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.2% | 4,158 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.9% | 3,533 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 2,386 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.6% | 2,074 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 1,751 |
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 | 424 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,086 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,588 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,777 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 743 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 158 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,131 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 2,747 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 2,377 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 1,960 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 1,599 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Wagon-R+
Before buying a 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+s pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 11,814 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2003 Wagon-R+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,814 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.