Suzuki Swift vs Toyota Vitz: known faults compared
Two of the cheapest small hatchbacks to buy and run, and a common first-car shortlist.
The catalogue documents 41 faults for the Suzuki Swift and 27 for the Toyota Vitz. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Vitz |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 41 | 27 |
| Rated major or critical | 33 | 21 |
| Rated common or very common | 25 | 20 |
| Typical repair | $450–$1,800 | $350–$950 |
| Model years covered | 2000–2023 | 1999–2020 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | petrol | petrol, hybrid |
| Service schedule on the model page | No | Yes |
Where the Suzuki Swift goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- K10C Boosterjet Timing Chain Wear
- Rear Torsion Beam Rust Perforation (ZC31S)
- Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear
Most expensive to fix
Where the Toyota Vitz goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Front Lower Control Arm Bush Deterioration
- Rear Drum Brake Adjuster Corrosion & Weak Parking Brake
- Front Strut Top Mount Bearing Failure
Most expensive to fix
Where the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Vitz differ
- Engine: 16 documented on the Suzuki Swift, 5 on the Toyota Vitz. The costliest on the Suzuki Swift is K14C BoosterJet turbo oil coking hot shutdown, at up to $7,500.
- Electrical: 6 documented on the Suzuki Swift, 3 on the Toyota Vitz. The costliest on the Suzuki Swift is Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Failure, at up to $2,000.
- Brakes: 3 documented on the Suzuki Swift, 6 on the Toyota Vitz. The costliest on the Toyota Vitz is ABS Modulator Corrosion Causing Brake Warning Fault, at up to $1,700.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, transmission, suspension, electrical and brakes, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Suzuki Swift | Toyota Vitz |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 5 |
| Transmission | 7 | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 | 5 |
| Electrical | 6 | 3 |
| Brakes | 3 | 6 |
| Body & Rust | 3 | 0 |
| Cooling | 1 | 1 |
| Interior | 0 | 1 |
| Fluid Leaks | 0 | 1 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Suzuki Swift or the Toyota Vitz?
The catalogue documents 41 faults for the Suzuki Swift and 27 for the Toyota Vitz. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 33 on the Suzuki Swift and 21 on the Toyota Vitz are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $450 to $1,800 on the Suzuki Swift and $350 to $950 on the Toyota Vitz, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Suzuki Swift it is K14C BoosterJet turbo oil coking hot shutdown, documented at up to $7,500. On the Toyota Vitz it is NHP130 Hybrid Traction Battery Cell Imbalance and Capacity Degradation, documented at up to $7,500.