How much does a 2009 SUZUKI ALTO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,480 (£123/month), including £905 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 SUZUKI ALTO?

The 2009 SUZUKI ALTO has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 8,981 tests in 2026. This ranks 294 out of 575 cars from 2009.

Which year SUZUKI ALTO is most reliable?

The 2015 SUZUKI ALTO has the highest MOT pass rate at 84%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 60%.

SUZUKI ALTO (2009)

Q: Is the 2009 SUZUKI ALTO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of SUZUKI ALTOs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 8,981 tests. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2009 SUZUKI ALTO?

The average mileage for a 2009 SUZUKI ALTO is 72,236 miles, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,981 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,480

£123/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

996cc Diesel

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1480/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Diesel996cc17 years old8,981 tests72k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 996cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Based on 996cc

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,480

Per month£123/mo

Per week£28/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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 17 years old, 76% of SUZUKI ALTOs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,981 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 72,236 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars294th of 575(top 51%)

Rank among SUZUKI models192th of 310(top 62%)

vs national average-6%(82% avg)

vs 2009 cars average+1%(75% avg)

vs SUZUKI average-6%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

72,236

Average miles

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 SUZUKI ALTO has 72,236 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2009 sits between the two at 76%.

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

FORD FIESTA

2009 · 1398cc Diesel

£1,490/year

72%

-4%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2009 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,490/year

73%

-3%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2008 · 1248cc Diesel

£1,490/year

72%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2008 · 1400cc Diesel

£1,490/year

70%

-6%

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About the 2009 SUZUKI ALTO

The 2009 SUZUKI ALTO is a city car with a 996cc diesel engine. 8,981 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 72,236 miles at 17 years old, SUZUKI ALTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 SUZUKI ALTO Fuel Costs

The modest 996cc diesel engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2009 SUZUKI ALTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,480 (£123/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2009 SUZUKI ALTO

At 17 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%. With 8,981 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 SUZUKI ALTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

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 2009 SUZUKI ALTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SUZUKI ALTO(2009)	76%	£905	£20	Grp 1-8	£1480
FORD FIESTA(2009)	72%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2009)	73%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490+£10
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2008)	72%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490+£10
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2008)	70%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490+£10

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.