What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Suzuki Kizashi.
The Suzuki Kizashi occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Suzuki Kizashi range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Suzuki Kizashi? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
T250 (2010–2015) — Engine options included the 2.4L J24B. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Suspension pin, bush and joint excessive wear (£400–£800 to address).
The Kizashi experiences premature wear to multiple suspension bushes and ball joints, particularly affecting the front lower control arms and rear suspension links. MOT data shows this model fails suspension component tests at 31.2 times the national average between 40-60k miles. The high failure rate suggests undersized or inappropriate material specification for UK road conditions. This affects ride quality, handling precision, and tyre wear patterns.
Worn suspension components affect handling safety and cause rapid tyre wear. Complete front suspension refresh typically requires multiple components to be replaced simultaneously. The car remains driveable but handling precision is compromised and tyre costs increase significantly.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Coil spring fractures occur at 7.6 times the national average on the Kizashi, with the failure rate worsening over recent years. The springs appear to be susceptible to fatigue cracking, particularly affecting the rear suspension. This is a significant safety concern as a fractured spring can cause sudden loss of vehicle height and handling instability. The trend is worsening according to MOT data from 2020-2024.
A fractured spring creates immediate safety risks through unpredictable handling and potential wheel arch contact. Complete spring replacement is typically required and often reveals related damage to shock absorbers. The vehicle should not be driven at speed with suspected spring damage.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Shock absorber failure occurs at 3.7 times the national average, with the trend worsening according to recent MOT data. The dampers appear to develop seal failures leading to oil leakage and loss of damping control. This significantly affects ride quality and vehicle stability, particularly under braking and cornering loads. Failed dampers often coincide with other suspension component wear.
Failed shock absorbers compromise braking stability and cornering safety. The vehicle remains legal to drive but stopping distances increase and handling becomes unpredictable in emergency manoeuvres. Replacement typically reveals associated suspension wear requiring additional repairs.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) control module can fail, causing the vehicle to enter limp mode with severely reduced performance. NHTSA data shows multiple owner complaints about transmission going into limp mode during acceleration or uphill driving, creating dangerous situations on motorways. The module may incorrectly detect CVT pulley ratio abnormalities and trigger protective shutdown modes.
Control module failure can cause sudden loss of power during driving, creating significant safety risks. The vehicle may enter limp mode restricting speed and acceleration. Module replacement or reprogramming is typically required and transmission fluid change is often needed simultaneously.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
Exhaust system failures occur at 6.6 times the national average, with the trend worsening according to MOT data. The system appears particularly susceptible to corrosion and mounting point failures around the mid-section. This affects cars earlier than typical for the UK market and suggests poor corrosion protection or inadequate mounting design for UK road conditions.
Exhaust leaks reduce performance and can allow dangerous gases to enter the cabin. Failed mounting points cause noise and potential damage to other components. The car remains driveable but requires prompt repair to pass the next MOT test.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Suzuki Kizashi common problems page.
Based on 2k real DVSA MOT tests, the Suzuki Kizashi fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 31x the fleet average, followed by tyre tread depth not in accordance with the req... (9x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Suzuki Kizashi MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include cvt transmission fluid (£200–£300).
See the full Suzuki Kizashi service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Suzuki Kizashi is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Suzuki Kizashi, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Suzuki Kizashi issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.