2009 Suzuki Swift 1.3L Petrol · FV09 NVC

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 17 April 2026, although it is worth noting that this pass followed a failed inspection on the same date due to an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar ball joint, classified as a major defect. That item was clearly rectified prior to the pass, as it does not appear on the subsequent advisory list. Looking at the broader trend across the last five years, the maintenance profile is best described as stable but with persistent and recurring advisories. Brake pipe corrosion on the nearside and offside fronts has been flagged in 2022, 2025, and 2026, and the offside rear brake pipe was serious enough in 2025 to cause a major failure. Front suspension components, including suspension arm ball joints and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, were noted in 2023 and culminated in the major anti-roll bar ball joint failure in 2026. Tyre wear advisories appear almost every year, affecting both front and rear axles. The overall pattern suggests a vehicle that is being used regularly but where corrosion-related and wear-related defects are progressing in line with age and mileage. Recorded mileage stands at 152,048 miles over approximately 17 years, equating to an annual average of around 8,944 miles. This is broadly typical for a small hatchback of this age and indicates consistent year-round use rather than long periods of standing or unusually high motorway mileage. The MOT history shows annual tests with mileage progression consistent with this rate, so there are no significant gaps suggesting prolonged inactivity that would raise concerns about seized brakes, perished rubber, or stale fluids. Equally, there is no evidence of excessive high-mileage accumulation that would point to imminent clutch, gearbox, or engine wear beyond what is normal for the odometer reading. The mileage profile is therefore mechanically reassuring, and attention should instead focus on the age-related degradation patterns visible in the MOT record. The recurring brake pipe corrosion advisories are the most significant concern in this history. Surface corrosion on brake lines, often masked by grease or underseal, progresses over time and can ultimately lead to a major failure as it did on the offside rear pipe in April 2025. A prospective buyer should have the entire brake pipework, including unions and sections hidden behind fuel lines or within wheel arch liners, physically inspected for pitting and rust-through. Symptoms on a test drive include a soft or spongy brake pedal, any pulling to one side under braking, or visible brake fluid weeping beneath the car after use. Replacement of corroded sections is labour-intensive and therefore costly, and given that advisories have appeared on both front pipes over multiple years, a full brake pipe refurbishment or at minimum a proactive inspection and pre-emptive replacement of the worst sections would be prudent. The suspension wear pattern is also a clear theme, with advisories and ultimately a major failure on the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or during direction changes, and feel for vagueness or imprecise steering response. The offside front suspension arm ball joint was first noted with slight play in 2023 and may now also be approaching renewal. Given the annual tyre edge-wear advisories, a wheel alignment check is recommended, as worn suspension components commonly produce uneven or feathered tread wear. Additionally, with a vehicle of this age, regardless of mileage, the buyer should verify that the timing chain or belt, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission oil have been changed at manufacturer-specified intervals, that the 12V battery is holding charge reliably, and that all tyres are checked for sidewall perishing and cracking from age rather than just tread depth.