Suzuki Alto (2005)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,983 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,100

£175/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1061cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2,100/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1061cc21 years old1,983 tests60k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1061cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,100

Per month£175/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Suzuki brand average of 82%.

66% of MOT tests on Suzuki Altos from 2005 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 19 years old. That's based on 1,983 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 60,015 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 models444th of 504(bottom 13%)

Rank among Suzuki models285th of 305(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-16%(82% avg)

vs 2005 models average-6%(72% avg)

vs Suzuki average-16%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

60,015

Average miles

140,600

Expected for age

The average 2005 Suzuki Alto had 60,015 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2005 scores 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Suzuki Alto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2015	84%	2,966	49,125 mi
2014	83%	20,010	52,927 mi
2013	80%	18,935	59,177 mi
2012	79%	7,556	65,096 mi
2011	79%	7,495	68,880 mi
2010	77%	7,621	70,986 mi
2009	76%	8,981	72,236 mi
2006	66%	1,240	59,066 mi
2005	66%	1,983	60,015 mi
2004	65%	1,675	59,181 mi
2003	62%	796	57,783 mi
2002	66%	38	59,113 mi
2001	60%	55	55,074 mi
1999	83%	54	34,141 mi
1997	67%	33	65,783 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Peugeot 207

2007 · 1360cc Petrol

£2,353/year

69%

+3%

Honda Jazz

2007 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

2006 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,353/year

68%

+2%

Nissan Micra

2006 · 1386cc Petrol

£2,153/year

74%

+8%

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About the 2005 Suzuki Alto

The 2005 Suzuki Alto is a city car. Our records list a 1061cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,983 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 13% of 2005 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 60,015 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Alto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2005 Suzuki Alto Fuel Costs

The modest 1061cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 Suzuki Alto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,100 (£175/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Suzuki Alto Reliability Trend

Newer Suzuki Altos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2005 Suzuki Alto

At 21 years old, the Suzuki Alto is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 84%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 Suzuki Alto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Suzuki Alto(2005)	66%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£2,100
Peugeot 207(2007)	69%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£253
Honda Jazz(2007)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53
Vauxhall Corsa(2006)	68%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£253
Nissan Micra(2006)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2005 Suzuki Alto

Is the 2005 Suzuki Alto reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 66% of MOT tests on 2005 Suzuki Altos ended in a pass, from 1,983 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 16 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2005 Suzuki Alto cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,100 a year (£175 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Suzuki Alto?

66% of 1,983 MOT tests on the 2005 Suzuki Alto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 444th of 504 models first registered in 2005 (bottom 13%).

Which year Suzuki Alto has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 Suzuki Alto has the highest MOT pass rate at 84% and the 2003 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2005 Suzuki Alto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2005 Suzuki Alto is 60,015 miles, which is significantly below the expected 140,600 miles for a 19-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.