Swiftbuyer's guide

The AZG Swift is one of the most popular small hatchbacks in the European used market — cheap to run, easy to park, and simple enough to maintain. The risks are concentrated in the drivetrain and cooling system: timing belt and chain service gaps that can destroy an engine without warning, clutch or gearbox judder that sellers dismiss as normal, and coolant leaks that look minor until the thermostat fails and the temperature climbs. Getting any of these wrong erases years of fuel savings in one repair bill.

This guide covers ten documented issues: timing belt/chain or wet-belt service risk, manual/automatic clutch or gearbox judder, coolant leak or thermostat fault, infotainment and software electrical faults, suspension knocks and tyre wear, brake corrosion or ABS sensor fault, oil leak or PCV fault, boot water leak or accident repair, air conditioning leak, and the full recall and campaign status checklist. Each fault has a field check and a real repair-cost range.

A well-serviced AZG Swift with documented timing work and a clean diagnostic scan is one of the best-value city cars you can buy used. The guide tells you whether the one in front of you qualifies — or whether the service gap makes it one to walk away from.