Used Suzuki Swift Hatchback 2005 - 2012 reliability
Category: Small car
It's hard to beat as a fun car for not much cash
What should I look for in a used Suzuki Swift hatchback?
The Swift hasn't proved as durable as some of Suzuki's other models and hasn't always performed well in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey.
The quality of paintwork on the Swift is a hot topic of debate. It's very susceptible to chips and scrapes, and in some cases cars arrive from the factory with paintwork defects.
The front tyres can wear exceptionally quickly - in some cases in fewer than 12,000 miles.
Some owners also talk about grinding or squealing brakes. In extreme cases dealers are willing to replace the brake discs under warranty. Gearbox problems are another known problem, with a stiff gearchange an early warning sign.
It's not unusual for cabin rattles to appear in a car over time, but many Swift owners complain of a particularly annoying and persistence rattle from the car's dashboard.
Front and rear crash damage is notoriously expensive to repair, thanks to the car's one-piece wrap-around bumpers. A low-speed accident can generate bills of over £2000, so make sure that previous crash damage has been properly repaired.
