Suzuki Alto (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 7,556 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,750

£146/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1,750/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol999cc14 years old7,556 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,750

Per month£146/mo

Per week£34/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

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

79% of MOT tests on Suzuki Altos from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 7,556 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 65,096 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models403rd of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Suzuki models166th of 305(bottom half)

vs average of all models-3%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+1%(78% avg)

vs Suzuki average-3%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

65,096

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Suzuki Alto had 65,096 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-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?

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 2012 scores 79%. 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

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

same

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-4%

Peugeot 208

2013 · 999cc Petrol

£1,750/year

75%

-4%

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About the 2012 Suzuki Alto

The 2012 Suzuki Alto is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 7,556 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 65,096 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Alto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Suzuki Alto Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc 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 2012 Suzuki Alto?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,750 (£146/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2012 Suzuki Alto

At 14 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 7,556 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2012 Suzuki Alto Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 1,559 MOT tests on the 2012 Suzuki Alto that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics47%
Same age: 43%
Suspension31%
Same age: 39% (fails on this less often)
Brakes28%
Same age: 22%
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors21%
Same age: 14% (fails on this more often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Suzuki Alto reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

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 2012 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(2012)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£403
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900+£150
Peugeot 208(2013)	75%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750same

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 2012 Suzuki Alto

Is the 2012 Suzuki Alto reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MOT tests on 2012 Suzuki Altos ended in a pass, from 7,556 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Suzuki Alto cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,750 a year (£146 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Suzuki Alto?

79% of 7,556 MOT tests on the 2012 Suzuki Alto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 403rd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

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 2012 Suzuki Alto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Suzuki Alto is 65,096 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.