Suzuki Wagon-R+ (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 2,733 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,153

£179/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2,153/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1298cc23 years old2,733 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,153

Per month£179/mo

Per week£41/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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Suzuki brand average of 82%.

70% of MOT tests on Suzuki Wagon-R+s from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 2,733 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,511 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models276th of 429(bottom half)

Rank among Suzuki models255th of 305(bottom 17%)

vs average of all models-12%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-2%(72% avg)

vs Suzuki average-12%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,511

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ had 79,511 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 74%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2003 scores 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Suzuki Wagon-R+ by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	73%	841	71,571 mi
2006	74%	904	74,820 mi
2005	72%	2,134	75,766 mi
2004	72%	2,775	77,618 mi
2003	70%	2,733	79,511 mi
2002	67%	2,047	76,409 mi
2001	70%	1,396	79,978 mi
2000	65%	663	78,643 mi
1999	62%	141	66,893 mi
1998	50%	76	62,659 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+1%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+1%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+1%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+3%

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About the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+

The 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ is a small family car. Our records list a 1298cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 2,733 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 79,511 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Wagon-R+ owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ Fuel Costs

The 1298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,153 (£179/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Suzuki Wagon-R+ Reliability Trend

Newer Suzuki Wagon-R+s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+

At 23 years old, the Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 74%.

What the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 547 MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Suspension42%
Same age: 38%
Lights and electrics41%
Same age: 50%
Body, chassis and structure26%
Same age: 22%
Brakes23%
Same age: 31% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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.

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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ 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 Wagon-R+(2003)	70%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same

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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+

Is the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of MOT tests on 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+s ended in a pass, from 2,733 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,153 a year (£179 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

70% of 2,733 MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 276th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom half).

Which year Suzuki Wagon-R+ has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Suzuki Wagon-R+ has the highest MOT pass rate at 74% and the 1999 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 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Wagon-R+ is 79,511 miles, 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.