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SUZUKI ALTO (2006)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,240 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,875

£156/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 5-15

1061cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £1875/year to run. 16 points below average.

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Petrol1061cc20 years old1,240 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1061cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 1061cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,875
Per month£156/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 20 years old, 66% of SUZUKI ALTOs from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,240 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 59,066 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars527th of 575(top 92%)
Rank among SUZUKI models291th of 310(top 94%)
vs national average-16%(82% avg)
vs 2006 cars average-7%(73% avg)
vs SUZUKI average-16%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,066

Average miles

vs

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 SUZUKI ALTO has 59,066 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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?

The most reliable year is the 2015 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 60%. The 2006 sits between the two at 66%.

SUZUKI ALTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201584%2,96649,125 mi
201483%20,01052,927 mi
201380%18,93559,177 mi
201279%7,55665,096 mi
201179%7,49568,880 mi
201077%7,62170,986 mi
200976%8,98172,236 mi
200666%1,24059,066 mi
200566%1,98360,015 mi
200465%1,67559,181 mi
200362%79657,783 mi
200266%3859,113 mi
200160%5555,074 mi
199983%5434,141 mi
199767%3365,783 mi

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About the 2006 SUZUKI ALTO

The 2006 SUZUKI ALTO is a city car with a 1061cc petrol engine. 1,240 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 92% of 2006 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 59,066 miles at 20 years old, 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.

2006 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 SUZUKI ALTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,875 156/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £165 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 SUZUKI ALTO

At 20 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

Based on the 2006 SUZUKI ALTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2006 SUZUKI ALTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUZUKI ALTO(2006)66%£955£165Grp 5-15£1875
FORD FIESTA(2008)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£153
VAUXHALL CORSA(2008)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£153
PEUGEOT 207(2008)68%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922+£47
HONDA JAZZ(2007)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£153

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Suzuki cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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