2010 Suzuki Swift 1.2L Petrol · OU60 HTD

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 18 November 2025, albeit with several advisories that warrant careful attention. Across the recorded DVSA history from 2019 through 2025, the Swift has consistently achieved pass status, with a single failure noted in November 2020 attributable to a non-functioning nearside front position lamp, an inoperative registration plate lamp, both windscreen wipers failing to clear the screen effectively, and a dangerous nearside front tyre with tread depth below the 1.6mm minimum. That failure appears to have been a relatively isolated cluster of minor electrical and wiper issues together with a worn tyre, and subsequent tests have all been clean passes. However, the nature of the advisories has evolved over time, shifting from minor cosmetic items in 2021 and 2022 to a recurring steering rack inner joint play advisory across three consecutive tests from 2023 to 2025, alongside progressively accumulating brake pipe corrosion advisories and repeated edge-worn front tyres. This pattern suggests a maintenance trend that is broadly stable but with a slowly worsening structural and chassis wear profile typical of a higher-mileage older vehicle. At 148,175 recorded miles over approximately sixteen years, the Swift averages around 9,261 miles per year, which is broadly consistent with normal mixed private and commuter driving. The mileage progression between MOTs appears reasonably steady, with no extended standing periods evident from the data, which is positive from a corrosion and component-seizure perspective. That said, this level of accumulated mileage places considerable wear on the suspension, steering, braking, clutch, and drivetrain components, and several advisories now beginning to surface reflect the kind of gradual degradation one would expect at this odometer reading. Continued use at typical annual mileages should not be problematic provided the advisory items are properly addressed, but prospective buyers should anticipate that consumable replacement intervals will be shortening and that some larger mechanical items may soon require refurbishment. The most pressing recurring concern across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 tests is the advisory for nearside play in the steering rack inner joint. A worn steering rack inner joint typically manifests as a slight slack or knocking sensation through the steering wheel, particularly noticeable over bumps, on full lock, or when turning at low speed, and if left unaddressed it can progress to affect steering precision and may eventually fail on test. On a thorough test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end when traversing speed humps or uneven surfaces, and feel for any looseness, vagueness, or self-centring issues in the steering. Given that this advisory has been recorded three years running without obvious intervention, it would be prudent to budget for a steering rack inspection or replacement, and to verify the front suspension components, track rod ends, and bushes for related wear. Equally important is the repeated advisory for brake pipe corrosion covered in grease or other material, which appeared on both front brake pipes in 2025 and on the rear brake pipe in 2022. Brake pipes are safety-critical components, and any corrosion noted beneath protective coatings typically indicates surface deterioration of the steel pipework, which can progress to pinhole leaks and ultimately brake failure if neglected. A physical inspection should include examination of the brake pipes along their full length for blistering, flaking, or rust, with particular attention to the pipe runs along the subframe and underside of the vehicle. The advisories for tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge, recorded on multiple occasions for both front and rear nearside positions and most recently on the offside rear in 2025, also suggest potential tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or perhaps uneven camber due to the steering or suspension wear flagged above. Additionally, the rear exhaust minor leak advisory from 2023 should be revisited, as exhaust joints deteriorate with age and thermal cycling, leading to increased noise, emissions, and potential MOT failure. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, a buyer should also verify the timing chain condition, check for oil leaks from the engine and gearbox, confirm the age and condition of the 12V battery, inspect all coolant and brake fluid for time-based degradation, and ensure the service history demonstrates regular fluid changes including gearbox oil and spark plugs, all of which are essential maintenance items on a sixteen-year-old Swift approaching 150,000 miles.