Suzuki Super Carry

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1997 1.0 petrol. 20 of 56 tests failed, 36%.

Better than 1% of 1997 cars. The typical one fails 26%, across 225 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• 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
• Emissions levels exceed default limits
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

Where it stands out against its peers

• Lights and electrics: failed more often than 94% of 1997 cars — 60% of its 20 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 37%.
• Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 96% of 1997 cars — 55% of its 20 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 24%.
• Steering: failed more often than 96% of 1997 cars — 30% of its 20 failed tests, where an ordinary 1997 car has 5%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Exhaust and emissions — 55% of its failures
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• Suspension — 50% of its failures
  • 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
• Steering — 30% of its failures
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• Brakes — 25% of its failures
• Lights and electrics — 60% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Body and structure — 25% of its failures
  • 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