Does the Suzuki Alto fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Suzuki Alto records 1.18 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.99 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.81, 95% interval −1.87 to −1.75). It ranks 458 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Suzuki Alto by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Suzuki Alto is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 1,368 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 1,368 | 0.43 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,168 | 0.37 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 534 | 0.17 |
| Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective | 466 | 0.15 |
| Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive | 52 | 0.02 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 319,545 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Suzuki Alto gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
11.3% of Suzuki Alto MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 3,335 miles later (629 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 629 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Suzuki Alto 2001 · Suzuki Alto 2002 · Suzuki Alto 2003 · Suzuki Alto 2004 · Suzuki Alto 2005 · Suzuki Alto 2006 · Suzuki Alto 2009 · Suzuki Alto 2010 · Suzuki Alto 2011 · Suzuki Alto 2012 · Suzuki Alto 2013 · Suzuki Alto 2014 · Suzuki Alto 2015 · Suzuki Alto in Finland · Suzuki Alto in the Netherlands · Suzuki Alto by postcode area · Suzuki Alto body, chassis and structure failures · Suzuki Alto brakes failures · Suzuki Alto vehicle identification failures · Suzuki Alto lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Suzuki Alto noise, emissions and leaks failures · Suzuki Alto road wheels failures · Suzuki Alto seat belts and airbags failures · Suzuki Alto suspension failures · Suzuki Alto tyres failures · Suzuki Alto visibility failures