Suzuki Vitara
From 86,567 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Vitaras fare better: 2020 models pass at 92.5% vs 65.6% for 1999.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm and wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 2,601 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2,601 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 996 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 957 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 700 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 690 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 679 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 533 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 452 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 326 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 323 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 32.2% of Vitara failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £69.
The warranty question
A new Vitara passes its MOT 92.5% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 83.7%, a 8.8 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 86% while Diesel versions pass at 80%, a 6 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 92.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2019 | 90.9% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2018 | 86.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2017 | 84.8% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
17 earlier years
| 2016 | 83.7% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2015 | 83.1% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2008 | 67.5% | product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap |
| 2005 | 55.9% | headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2004 | 71.8% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point |
| 2003 | 62.9% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2002 | 67.2% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2001 | 66.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2000 | 62.4% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1999 | 65.6% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1998 | 69.1% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1997 | 74.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1996 | 68.5% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1995 | 61.6% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1994 | 63.3% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1993 | 65.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 1992 | 74.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
Typical mileage
Half of all Vitaras tested had between 35,420 and 62,980 miles on the clock.
At 48,247 median miles, the Vitara has 0.03 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Suzuki models
| Suzuki Swift | 75.7% |
| Suzuki Alto | 71.8% |
| Suzuki Sx4 | 76.6% |
| Suzuki Jimny | 74.9% |
| Suzuki Celerio | 86% |
Common questions
What is the Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate?
The Suzuki Vitara has a 85.6% MOT pass rate based on 86,567 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Suzuki Vitara?
The most common MOT failure on the Suzuki Vitara is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 2,601 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a Suzuki Vitara at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Suzuki Vitara is 48,247 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 35,420 and 62,980 miles.
Buying a used Vitara?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.