Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Suzuki Alto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 Suzuki Alto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 Suzuki Alto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 Suzuki Alto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

38% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Suzuki Alto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 12,869 vehicles, the 2013 Suzuki Alto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Suzuki Alto?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Suzuki Alto are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (56.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (46.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (42.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Suzuki Alto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Suzuki Alto (2013)

12,869 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.2% first-time pass rate

2013 Suzuki Alto

CarHunch analysed 12,869 real MOT records for the 2013 Suzuki Alto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Suzuki Alto's 81.2% pass rate sits just above the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly typical reliability for its age—but the 37.7% of vehicles that have ever had a dangerous defect is a red flag that warrants pre-purchase inspection. This high proportion of serious safety issues means one in three Altos on the road has experienced something genuinely hazardous.

With a median mileage of 39,413 miles for an 11-year-old car, these Altos are lightly driven, which partially explains the decent pass rate; however, the average of 2.42 failures and 16.1 advisories per vehicle shows maintenance is a persistent concern. Before buying, have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and lights thoroughly—these are likely to be the culprits behind those dangerous defects.

The 2013 Suzuki Alto has a decent first-time pass rate (81.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

37.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.42

Over 11.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 27k–54k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 16.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 12,869 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 12,869 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 56.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 30.5%

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 27%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 12,869 Suzuki Alto cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Suzuki Alto

Based on MOT data from 12,869 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 37.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	12,868	81.2%	2.42

Colour Breakdown

Based on 83,978 Suzuki Alto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 27.1%

22,774

White 18.7%

15,728

Blue 15.3%

12,851

Silver 15.1%

12,691

Black 10.3%

8,623

Grey 4.5%

3,741

Pink 3.6%

3,031

Yellow 3.4%

2,897

Green 1.1%

932

Brown 0.8%

655

Beige 0.1%

Purple 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Suzuki Alto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,413

typical

27,200

low mileage

53,996

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Suzuki Alto vehicles fall between 27,200 and 53,996 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 27,200 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 27,200–53,996 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Suzuki Altos sit.

⚠ Over 72,894 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Suzuki Alto — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Suzuki Altos are still being driven.

Strong survival — 11,009 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.42

Avg failures per vehicle

16.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Suzuki Alto: All Alto years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015

Or browse all models: Suzuki →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Suzuki Alto stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing