2013 Suzuki Swift 1.2L Petrol · CY13 KHW

The January 2026 MOT at 150,001 miles shows a pass, but the advisory list reveals a vehicle that is now carrying several unresolved minor and moderate defects rather than being in a clean, well-maintained state. The trend is best described as slowly worsening. The tester flagged a worn and pitted front brake disc, slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint, a corroded rear brake pipe, and an insecure nearside headlamp. None of these alone is a serious failure, but together they point to a car that has not had recent preventative work done on its brakes, suspension joints, or lighting. The rear brake pipe corrosion, specifically noted as covered in grease or other material, suggests the corrosion was present but masked rather than properly repaired. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical annual use. From the January 2023 test at 85,795 miles to January 2024 at 100,872 miles, the car covered roughly 15,000 miles in twelve months. From January 2024 to January 2026, it added about 49,000 miles over two years, averaging close to 24,500 miles per year. That is a notable step up in use. The jump in annual mileage over the last two years means the car has been driven harder more recently, which increases wear on consumable items like brake discs, tyres, and suspension bushes, and makes the current advisory list more concerning than it would be on a lightly used example. The brake disc wear is a recurring theme. It appeared as an advisory in January 2024 on both rear discs, and again in January 2025 and January 2026 on the front discs. This pattern suggests the car has been driven on worn discs for some time without replacement. A buyer should inspect the thickness and condition of all four brake discs and pads in person, and check whether the rear discs have ever been replaced since the 2024 advisory. The corroded rear brake pipe also warrants close inspection. Corrosion on brake lines is a safety-critical issue, and the fact it was noted as covered in grease or material raises the possibility of a temporary cosmetic fix rather than a proper replacement. Have the brake lines and hoses been replaced, or is the original corroded pipe still in place? The suspension components show gradual deterioration. The offside rear shock absorber had a light oil misting in January 2024, and the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint had slight play in January 2026. These are not failures, but they indicate the car's dampers and joint covers are ageing. A physical check for knocking over rough surfaces, uneven tyre wear, and leaking shock absorbers is advisable. The insecure headlamp and inoperative rear registration plate lamp in the latest test are minor electrical issues, but they may point to loose fixings or wiring that has not been properly secured. Overall, the record suggests a car that has been used intensively in recent years without consistent attention to brake and suspension upkeep. A thorough inspection of the braking system, suspension joints, and underside corrosion is essential before purchase.