Suzuki Wagon-R+
Registered from 1998 to 2007.
About this model
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. The Wagon R uses a "tall wagon" configuration to maximize cabin space within kei car dimensional restrictions. The Wagon R is also sold by Mazda as the AZ-Wagon from 1994 to 2012 and as the Flair from 2012.
From the Wikipedia article Suzuki Wagon R, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2003 1.3 petrol. 673 of 2,376 tests failed, 28%.
Better than 45% of 2003 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 639 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 43% | 287 |
| Body and structure | 30% | 203 |
| Brakes | 30% | 200 |
| Lights and electrics | 29% | 194 |
| Tyres and wheels | 27% | 184 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 17% | 117 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- 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
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 91% of 2003 cars — 27% of its 673 failed tests, where an ordinary 2003 car has 13%.
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.
- Suspension — 43% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- 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
- Brakes — 30% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Tyres and wheels — 27% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 17% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 29% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 30% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- 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
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 40% of its inspections, against the 31% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 20% | 17% | 164 | |
| 40–60k miles | 26% | 22% | 509 | |
| 60–80k miles | 27% | 25% | 610 | |
| 80–100k miles | 30% | 28% | 571 | |
| 100–120k miles | 36% | 29% | 300 | |
| 120–140k miles | 31% | 30% | 118 | |
| 140–160k miles | 40% | 31% | 43 |
2,315 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/2033/14
Due to a fault, in certain conditions one of the airbags may not activate in the case of a frontal impact.
Recall of the product from end users