Suzuki
Wagon R+
13,750 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Wagon R+s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 13.0 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
64.5%
Pass-after-fix
5.7%
Fail
29.1%
Avg miles
77,010
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Suzuki Wagon R+: challenging MOT record across 11,716 tests
The Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car manufactured and marketed by Suzuki since 1993. The R in the name stands for Revolution and Relaxation.
MOT data from 11,716 tests puts this car on a 66.5% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 75,195 miles. The most common fail item is failed number plate light, followed by suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Car insurance prices are currently seeing record increases so we're here to help you find ways to reduced the cost.
The Wagon R+'s pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 4–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
4–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
775 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 02
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
767 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
626 occurrences · 4.6% of tests
- 04
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
623 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 05
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
506 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
411 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
410 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 08
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
368 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 09
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
367 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 10
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
351 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£208–£605
If every one of this Wagon R+'s most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Hycote
Hycote Touch Up Colour Paint Brush Suzuki Silky Silver Metallic 12.5ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
equip
Equip ELF039 Suzuki Petrol and Diesel Locking Fuel Cap
£8.79
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Suzuki Carry Van Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Suzuki Grand Vitara SWB 1998-2005 Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
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Book a mobile mechanic
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Owner reports · Honest John
What owners actually report.
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
Where it falls short
One last point - if your circumstances change, make sure your inform your insurer, too. If your details don't match what an insurer has on record, that could lead to problems with claims and future renewals.
Recall history
7 UK recalls on record.
The Wagon R+ has 7 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Wagon R+?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Wagon R+ and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.