Suzuki Grand Vitara: what fails at MOT
24,000 MOT tests on the Suzuki Grand Vitara in 2024, counted. 36.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
37% of Suzuki Grand Vitara tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 39.4%, so the Grand Vitara is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.3% of tests), suspension (9% of tests) and brakes (7.5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 691 | 13.5% | 27.7% | 52,600 37,800 to 71,700 |
| 2013 | 1,447 | 22.9% | 30.6% | 62,400 45,000 to 81,900 |
| 2012 | 1,325 | 28.4% | 33.4% | 73,000 51,200 to 93,400 |
| 2011 | 1,810 | 32.3% | 36.1% | 79,900 61,600 to 99,200 |
| 2010 | 2,285 | 32.2% | 38.6% | 82,500 64,800 to 103,000 |
| 2009 | 2,352 | 36.3% | 39.8% | 89,500 70,200 to 111,800 |
| 2008 | 2,794 | 40.6% | 41.5% | 93,400 75,900 to 113,200 |
| 2007 | 3,101 | 39.4% | 41.5% | 94,900 75,800 to 114,300 |
| 2006 | 2,532 | 45.1% | 42.4% | 98,300 78,800 to 118,500 |
| 2005 | 2,949 | 41.4% | 42.2% | 96,400 74,900 to 119,600 |
| 2004 | 2,708 | 43.5% | 42.3% | 101,200 79,500 to 122,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Suzuki Grand Vitara tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Grand Vitara | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.3% | 12.8% | |
| Suspension | 9.0% | 10.6% | |
| Brakes | 7.5% | 7.6% | |
| Body and structure | 6.1% | 4.7% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 4.4% | 3.8% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.3% | 4.4% | |
| Tyres | 2.6% | 4.8% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.6% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light4.3%
- Headlamp aim2.9%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings2.7%
- Wipers2.7%
- Brake light2.7%
- Footbrake2.5%
- Driveshaft joint2.2%
- Brake pipes2.2%
- Exhaust system1.9%
- Engine warning light1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- Brake light: not working2.5%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.4%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded2.0%
- Footbrake: excessively binding2.0%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.6%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material11.7%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive7.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.8%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Suzuki Grand Vitara's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.