2022 Suzuki Ignis SZ5 Dualjet Mhev Allgrip 1.2L Hybrid electric · YA71 HBX

The Suzuki Ignis presented for its most recent DVSA MOT examination on 14 January 2026 and achieved a Pass outcome, although four advisory items were recorded against it. These advisories all related to the nearside and offside front tyres, noting both slight damage or perishing and tread depth worn close to the legal limit at 3mm. Evaluating the maintenance trend across the available history, the 2025 test was clean apart from tyre perishing advisories on all four wheels, whereas the 2026 test has escalated those concerns to include active tread wear. This indicates a stable to mildly worsening pattern rather than improvement, with the progressive nature of the perishing and the appearance of a tread wear advisory suggesting the tyres are now reaching the end of their safe service life. There are no recorded structural, braking, suspension, or emissions failures, which is reassuring for a vehicle of this age, but the recurring and escalating tyre issues warrant prompt attention. Turning to the recorded mileage, the vehicle is approximately four years old and has covered just 13,892 miles, equating to a remarkably low annual average of around 3,473 miles. This is substantially below the typical usage profile for a small SUV and suggests either very light use, a predominantly urban driving pattern, or extended periods of standing between journeys. While low mileage reduces wear on high-stress components such as the clutch, brake friction material, and drivetrain internals, it introduces its own mechanical concerns. Long stationary periods can promote brake disc corrosion and caliper seizure, degradation of rubber components through lack of flex, and 12V battery failure due to insufficient charging cycles. The relatively short MOT history, with only two recorded tests, also limits longitudinal trend analysis, making physical inspection of age-sensitive items particularly important. For a prospective buyer, the primary inspection focus must be the tyres, given the recurring perishing advisories now combined with a 3mm tread measurement. Perishing or cracking in the tread grooves and sidewalls is a calendar-based degradation phenomenon that affects any vehicle regardless of mileage, and the fact that this was flagged in both tests suggests the rubber compound is ageing prematurely, potentially through exposure to UV light or extended standing. On a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise or vibration transmitted through the steering, which may indicate uneven wear or sidewall deterioration, and inspect the sidewalls closely for visible cracks. Replacement of all four tyres should be budgeted for immediately, as 3mm is approaching the 1.6mm legal minimum and perishing will only worsen with continued use. Beyond the tyres, the low-mileage profile necessitates careful inspection of items that suffer from disuse rather than wear. Check that the brake discs rotate freely without scraping and that the caliper slide pins move smoothly, as seized calipers are common on lightly used vehicles and will cause uneven pad wear or pulling under braking. Examine the underside and around the wheel arches for any standing corrosion, paying particular attention to the Allgrip four-wheel-drive system's underbody protection, driveshaft boots, and rear differential seals. Verify the 12V battery holds sufficient charge, as a four-year-old battery with low mileage may have undergone sulphation from incomplete charging cycles. Finally, confirm that time-based servicing has been carried out regardless of mileage, including brake fluid replacement (typically every two years due to hygroscopic moisture absorption), coolant renewal, and a thorough inspection of the mild hybrid system's 48V components and associated wiring for any signs of rodent damage or connector degradation from infrequent use.