Suzuki Swift Sport Common faults/general issues

[Mick_F]

So I'm looking to buy one of these.

Is there any (repeated) horror stories or things that would require looking for when test driving/viewing?

I've heard about tyre sizes being odd, not too fussed about that.

Cheers in advance!

 

[natogreen16v]

@Dominoka had an 06 one. I'm sure she could help u altho I don't think she'd any bother bar a few wee recalls getting sorted

 

[hannakournikova]

@gav525

 

[Mick_F]

Cheers lads, hopefully someone drops by.

 

[Tyre_Man]

my dad who is a jap specialist said the swifts have gearbox problems... i was going to buy one myself but he talked me out of it. this one had 90k on the clock though.

 

[Eamo_vxr]

I genuinely love these wee cars, find one with low miles, good service history.

When they're clean with a few subtle touches they look great.

 

[Mick_F]

my dad who is a jap specialist said the swifts have gearbox problems... i was going to buy one myself but he talked me out of it. this one had 90k on the clock though.

From what I've been reading it's not common, but definitely something to look for as I've been stung with gearbox problems in the past.

Most seem to have a FSH and haven't hit astronomical miles yet so I'm spoilt in that sense.

Thanks again folks!

 

[Dee]

Good wee cars.bottom arm bushes fairly common and as far as im aware the sport models gearboxes are different compared to the 1.3 and 1.5 which are problematic. Apart from that decent wee car

 

[gav525]

I loved my wee one when I had it, something different from most of the other 'warm' hatches. Things I liked if I remember back were the seats, the pearlescent paint(when cleaned) and the revvy engine. Averaged low 40s MPG wise an all. Some nice extras as standard an all like keyless entry and start, front fogs, air con etc. the proper spark plugs are dear though, around £17 each I think from Suzuki, and no cheaper from the motor factors!

Mine had 90k miles on it and it whined in 1st gear a wee bit, never got any worse in the 3k miles I drove it for and it got raked over the Dromara hills regularly lol. Pretty sure I priced a gearbox rebuild up at McKinstry Motorsport and it wasn't too bad at all, but then the car sold and went to Cyprus in a container so never got done.

Depends what your budget is, but for what I paid for mine at the auction i wasn't complaining!

 

[Dominoka]

Really loved mine, one of the best cars I've ever had.
Watch out for the handbrake as, even after the recall, mine was woeful.
Not very hard on fuel though you absolutely had to run it on super - ran like a pig on ordinary unleaded.
Apart from that no big issues that I remember, just a great, fun little car which, IMO, was far superior to the Mini Cooper etc equivalents that were out at the time.

 

[dddrrift]

Handbrake cables seem to stretch badly

@Dominoka what was the recall for? Handbrake in the one i have at the minute is pants, only 17,000 miles on it too

Thanks

 

[Mick_F]

Super information, thanks lads!

 

[bentspoon]

if you buy this months EVO theres a buying guide for the swift.

They say bombproof bar the gearbox as it doesnt like abusive treatment its usually the input shaft £700 to replace make sure all the gears go in smoothly and listen for whining, replacement body panels can be dear too. ABS warning means usually the ABS pump has failed which is a common problem. If the ECU light is on it could mean the o2 sensors need cleaning.

All in sweet cars would love one as a daily.

 

[Mick_F]

if you buy this months EVO theres a buying guide for the swift.

They say bombproof bar the gearbox as it doesnt like abusive treatment its usually the input shaft £700 to replace make sure all the gears go in smoothly and listen for whining, replacement body panels can be dear too. ABS warning means usually the ABS pump has failed which is a common problem. If the ECU light is on it could mean the o2 sensors need cleaning.

All in sweet cars would love one as a daily.

Legend, thanks for the info!

 

[mthompo]

From what I've been reading it's not common, but definitely something to look for as I've been stung with gearbox problems in the past.

Most seem to have a FSH and haven't hit astronomical miles yet so I'm spoilt in that sense.

Thanks again folks!

Gearboxes are common to go, definitely listen for the whine!

 

[Dominoka]

@dddrrift 2 recalls iirc, one for handbrake, and one for the light in the boot which apparently let in water and went on fire lol! They were both done at my first service so if it's had its first service at a dealer they were probably already done.
Yeah the handbrake was still crap after the recall anyway!