Used Suzuki Celerio review and buying guide (2014 to 2019): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Suzuki Celerio should you buy?

There's no Celerio year to seek out or dodge: it was sold in one version from 2014 to 2019 and there's no known fault against it. Don't read that as a clean bill of health, though. Hardly anything's been reported either way, so the car in front of you, its condition and its paperwork, will tell you far more than its age.

2015's the only year with a mark against it. The Celerio was recalled over its brake pedal, which was built to break away in a heavy crash to spare the driver's feet but couldn't take very hard pressure, and the brake mechanism failed on two cars during an 80mph braking test. Suzuki briefly pulled it from UK sale and fitted a modified pedal set to the 36 cars already sold.

Which Celerio engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

Nothing marks out a Celerio engine or gearbox to avoid, and no owner has reported trouble with either, so the way the car you're viewing has been looked after counts for more than which one it's got. Ask for invoices rather than stamps, so you can see what was done at each service.

The one engine detail worth knowing comes from an owner who pointed out that Suzuki specifies a very thin 0W-20 oil for the Celerio. Check the service invoices list that grade at every oil change. If a garage has filled it with a thicker oil off the shelf, it hasn't been serviced to the maker's spec, and that's a fair question to put to the seller.

What should you check when viewing a used Suzuki Celerio?

If it's one of the first Celerios sold in early 2015, ask for a dealer invoice or Suzuki service record showing the modified brake pedal went in, and don't settle for the seller's word. Cars due for delivery from March 2015 were already being fitted with the new pedal before they reached owners, so it's those very early cars that need the paperwork.

Inside, the plastics are cheap and don't feel tough, so look over the dashboard, door cards and trim for cracks, scuffs and loose clips, and listen for rattles over bumps. Take it onto a fast road too: the engine's loud when it's worked hard and there's plenty of wind roar at motorway pace on every Celerio, so don't mistake that din for a fault.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Suzuki Celerio cost to run?

What do Celerio owners like about them?

There's proper room in the back of a Celerio: adults can sit there without complaint, which isn't a given in a car this small. The boot's bigger than you'd expect from the outside too, so it's a small car that doesn't feel cramped once you've loaded it up.

It's easy to drive and comfortable with it, so it doesn't wear you out on the daily round of short trips. There's nothing fussy or demanding about how it goes down the road, which suits anyone who wants a small car that just gets on with the job without asking much of them.

• The Celerio provides a good array of features as standard, including alloy wheels and air conditioning, offering excellent value.
• This model is inexpensive to purchase and operate, benefiting from low emissions below 100g/km for economical running.
• The Celerio provides adequate space in the rear seating area, comfortably accommodating adult passengers despite its compact size.
• For a vehicle of its small dimensions, the boot capacity is notably impressive, offering practical storage space.
• The car offers an easy and comfortable driving experience, making it pleasant for daily use and longer journeys.