Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr (2008)
2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr
CarHunch analysed 107 real MOT records for the 2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2008 Swift GL has a serious reliability problem: only 51% pass the MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%. The good news is that no vehicles in this sample have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety failures are not the issue here.
At 85,000 miles median, these Swifts are running within normal parameters for their age, yet they're averaging 1.09 failures per test—suggesting wear-related issues rather than manufacturing defects. If you're considering one, budget for repairs before purchase and expect to visit the garage more often than typical; a pre-purchase inspection by a Suzuki-familiar mechanic is essential.
What to check before buying a 2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (65%) | 70 | 78.1% | 1.67 |
| Petrol (35%) | 37 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr vehicles fall between 69,062 and 98,514 miles.
2008 Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr?
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Other model years — Suzuki Swift Gl 3dr: