It’s odd that the previous owner has removed the compliance plate from the vehicle. I don’t blame anyone for not buying because it makes the car appear dodgy. I would be getting the plates back from whoever has them and putting back on the car. You could also try talking to the Queensland registration authority to seek their advice on what to do.

Most small SUVs are all-wheel drive, as is your SX4, which means it's an on-demand four-wheel drive system rather than a traditional one. If the SX4 does what you want you could try a Suzuki Grand Vitara, or a Nissan X-Trail.

I agree with you that a two-year-old car like yours should not have creaking noises in it, and certainly not ones that can't be fixed. Take the car back to the dealer and ask them to explain to you where the creaking is coming from. If it is coming from the body, due the wear and tear, it is completely unacceptable and says much about the standard of Suzuki's engineering. If it's from the suspension, then it can be fixed.