Suzuki Swift Sz L (2016)

100 real MOT outcomes analysed • 59.5% first-time pass rate

2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L

CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2016 Suzuki Swift SZ-L is a genuine concern: only 59.5% pass first time, well below the UK average of 80%, which means four in ten will need repair work before they're legal to drive. Dangerous defects are rare at just 1%, so safety isn't the primary issue—it's the sheer prevalence of faults that should give you pause.

These Swifts are running at a sensible 45,293 miles median for their age, but they're still accumulating defects at a worrying rate for a model this old. Before making an offer, factor in the likelihood of needing repairs to get through the next MOT; you'd be wise to have a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers common failure points on this generation.

Below average reliability 20.5% below UK average
59.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
45,293
typical mileage
35,850–61,743 middle half
1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.14
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L

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 Sz L

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Other (61%) 61 96.3% 0.2
Petrol (39%) 39 2% 0.05

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L 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.

35,850
low mileage
45,293
typical
61,743
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L vehicles fall between 35,850 and 61,743 miles.

2016 Suzuki Swift Sz L — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 55 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

40 55 2020 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.14
Avg failures per vehicle
0.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Suzuki Swift Sz L?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK