2011 Suzuki Swift 1.2L Petrol · CV11 HMC

The 2011 Suzuki Swift most recently passed its MOT test on 10 December 2025, though the result was accompanied by five advisories which warrant close attention from any prospective buyer. Reviewing the broader history, the vehicle has demonstrated a consistent pattern of passing tests since 2019, with several entirely clean examinations recorded in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. However, the 2024 and 2025 tests show an accumulation of minor issues and advisories, suggesting that while the car remains roadworthy, age-related wear is beginning to surface more frequently. The maintenance trend can therefore be characterised as stable but gradually worsening, consistent with a vehicle entering the later stages of its service life. With 96,745 miles recorded over approximately 15 years, this Swift has averaged around 6,450 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and suggests a mixture of regular use and some periods of lighter activity rather than long-term standing or exceptionally hard driving. The MOT intervals align with consistent annual usage, with no apparent extended absences from the road. At this mileage, mechanical attention should reasonably be expected on wear-and-tear components such as braking system consumables, suspension bushes and dampers, clutch wear, and exhaust mounting points, even where such items are not explicitly flagged on the MOT record. The mileage itself is not a concern, but it does place the vehicle firmly within the zone where major service items such as a timing chain inspection, coolant renewal, and gearbox oil change become advisable if not already documented in the service history. The advisories recorded at the most recent test are the most pertinent starting point for a physical inspection. The nearside play in the steering rack inner joint is particularly significant, as this points to wear within the steering gear itself rather than at the track rod ends, and can manifest on a test drive as vagueness or a faint knocking through the steering wheel over uneven surfaces; this warrants prompt professional assessment before further deterioration leads to a failure. The oil leak from the oil filter, described as not excessive, should be monitored for progression, as a worsening leak can leave the engine borderline between safe and low oil between services. Additionally, the advisories on the rear brake hose ferrules from the 2024 test, combined with the age of the vehicle, suggest the braking system should be inspected for corroded rigid brake lines under the vehicle and for any signs of brake fluid leakage or weeping caliper seals, particularly given that fluid renewal on a calendar basis every two years is recommended regardless of mileage. The rear tyre nail noted in 2025 will by now have been addressed, but it is worth confirming that the replacement tyre matches the others in brand, age, and tread depth. Given the vehicle's age and accumulated wear items, several age-appropriate checks should be carried out during inspection regardless of the MOT outcome. Tyres, even those with adequate tread, should be examined closely for sidewall cracking or perishing caused by age-related rubber degradation, particularly on a 15-year-old vehicle. The 12-volt battery is likely due for replacement and should be load-tested, as diminished cranking performance is common at this stage. Beneath the vehicle, look for any signs of standing corrosion on brake discs, which can lead to binding calipers and uneven pad wear after periods of light use, and inspect the exhaust system for rust at mounting rubbers and the rear silencer box. Finally, verify the service book history for evidence of regular oil changes, coolant renewals, and spark plug replacement appropriate to the mileage, as a well-documented service history provides far greater confidence in the mechanical integrity of this otherwise tidy, well-maintained example than the MOT record alone.