Suzuki Swift (1988)
1988 Suzuki Swift
CarHunch analysed 170 real MOT records for the 1988 Suzuki Swift. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Suzuki Swift falls short of the UK average with a 68.7% first-time pass rate against the national 80%, suggesting these cars are aging and accumulating wear more than most vehicles of comparable age. The dangerous defect rate of 6.5% is reassuringly low, so safety-critical failures aren't a widespread concern in this cohort.
These Swifts are running relatively low mileage for their age at around 56,000–60,000 miles median, yet they're still averaging 1.31 failures per test, indicating that age and corrosion matter more than hard use here. With 2.4 advisories per vehicle on average, expect advisory work on minor items; before buying, get a detailed pre-purchase inspection and budget for at least one or two failures to remedy at the next MOT.
What to check before buying a 1988 Suzuki Swift
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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Suzuki Swift 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 1988 Suzuki Swift vehicles fall between 35,564 and 76,382 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Suzuki Swift
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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16.9%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.6%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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14.9%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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14.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.7%
Oil leak
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12%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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11%
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases
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10.7%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Suzuki Swift?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.