2010 Suzuki Swift 1.3L Petrol · SM10 FGU

This 2010 Suzuki Swift passed its most recent MOT on 9 June 2026 at 77,535 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is stable at best and quietly worsening in key areas. The car has passed every test since April 2023, yet the advisory load has grown heavier year on year. The June 2026 test flagged reduced damping effect on all four shock absorbers, corrosion on the front sub-frame, lower suspension arm, all four coil springs, and multiple brake pipe and hose ferrules, plus a minor exhaust leak and a defective exhaust mounting. None of these items caused a failure, but their accumulation points to a vehicle that is ageing structurally rather than being actively preserved. The mileage context is straightforward. At roughly 4,846 miles per year over 16 years, this is a low-mileage example. The record shows 72,025 miles in April 2023, 75,413 in May 2024, 76,126 and 76,134 in June 2025, and 77,535 in June 2026. That is an increase of about 1,400 miles across the two June 2025 tests, likely reflecting a retest after the failure on 25 June 2025 for a fractured nearside front coil spring and an inoperative nearside rear parking brake. The subsequent pass on 26 June 2025 at 76,134 miles confirms those two items were addressed, but the underlying corrosion and wear pattern was left untouched. The annual mileage since 2023 has settled around 1,500 to 2,000 miles per year, consistent with short, local journeys that accelerate underbody corrosion and suspension fatigue. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underside and suspension components. The repeated advisories for corroded coil springs, corroded sub-frame, and corroded lower suspension arms suggest long-term exposure to moisture and road salt without adequate underbody protection. The June 2025 fracture of the nearside front coil spring was a serious defect that could recur on the remaining three, all of which remain flagged as corroded. The shock absorbers have shown reduced damping effect in every test since at least May 2024, meaning they are likely past their effective service life and should be replaced as a set. Brake pipe and hose corrosion, particularly where grease or other material is covering the affected areas, needs close inspection to distinguish surface rust from structural weakening. The rear axle is described as rusty, and the central rear brake pipe has been flagged as corroded across two consecutive years, which warrants a detailed check for pitting or wall thinning. The exhaust system also needs attention. A minor exhaust gas leak and a defective exhaust mounting appeared in the June 2026 test, and a minor leak was noted in June 2025 as well. This suggests a deteriorating manifold, flexi-joint, or back box rather than a one-off issue. The oil leak, described as not excessive in both 2025 and 2026, should be traced to its source, likely a valve cover gasket or camshaft seal, to prevent it from worsening. The slight play in the offside front track rod end and the worn but not excessive front brake discs and rear brake drums are consumable items that will need routine replacement, but they are secondary to the structural corrosion and suspension fatigue that define this car's current condition.