CarCostCheck

SUZUKI SWIFT (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,653 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1490cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1490cc21 years old2,653 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1490cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1490cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,157
Per month£180/mo
Per week£41/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 21 years old, 68% of SUZUKI SWIFTs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,653 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 97,383 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars429th of 526(top 82%)
Rank among SUZUKI models277th of 310(top 89%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-4%(72% avg)
vs SUZUKI average-14%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

97,383

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT has 97,383 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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 2021 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2005 sits between the two at 68%.

SUZUKI SWIFT by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202199%7440,049 mi
202095%1,90524,793 mi
201992%17,26932,007 mi
201890%15,92439,871 mi
201789%12,68544,593 mi
201688%16,63052,473 mi
201587%19,75158,999 mi
201485%16,45565,097 mi
201383%14,65871,340 mi
201281%15,67979,275 mi
201178%11,23084,317 mi
201074%11,28385,544 mi
200971%13,43388,317 mi
200869%14,87193,714 mi
200769%14,40295,140 mi
200667%8,30998,000 mi
200568%2,65397,383 mi
200373%12051,322 mi
200269%32751,235 mi
200173%16251,235 mi
200075%7750,390 mi
199972%12961,189 mi
199880%9150,919 mi
199789%3771,511 mi
199685%5261,581 mi
199580%3042,871 mi

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About the 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT

The 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT is a small family car with a 1490cc petrol engine. 2,653 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 82% of 2005 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 97,383 miles at 21 years old, SUZUKI SWIFT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 SUZUKI SWIFT Fuel Costs

The 1490cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SUZUKI SWIFT Reliability Trend

Newer SUZUKI SWIFTs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT

At 21 years old, the SUZUKI SWIFT 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 99%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 SUZUKI SWIFT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 97k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 SWIFT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUZUKI SWIFT(2005)68%£1137£265Grp 12-25£2157
FORD FOCUS(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£290
MINI MINI(2007)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£330
PEUGEOT 207(2007)69%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£235

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.

Related Suzuki Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Suzuki Swift.

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