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Suzuki Grand Vitara reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 234,697 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2014.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
63.1%pass first time
+4.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 65%of cars
234,697MOT tests

Verdict

The Suzuki Grand Vitara passes its MOT first time on 63.1% of tests, 4.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (59.1%). That puts it ahead of 65% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Grand Vitara does best (beats 70% of cars) and the 2005 worst (beats 59%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Petrol does best (beats 82%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 58%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.4×as often as a typical car
Seat belts & airbags1.4×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas2.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%56789101112131415161718192087%80%76%70%64%59%56%56%
Suzuki Grand VitaraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1999
Beats 64%
2000
Beats 49%
2001
Beats 53%
2002
Beats 57%
2003
Beats 58%
2004
Beats 61%
2005
Beats 59%
2006
Beats 60%
2007
Beats 65%
2008
Beats 70%
2009
Beats 75%
2010
Beats 79%
2011
Beats 75%
2012
Beats 73%
2013
Beats 85%
2014
Beats 96%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2001–201482,82662.5%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol2000–200950,67059.8%Beats 63%B
1.9 Diesel2006–201340,60964.4%Beats 67%B
2.4 Petrol2009–201431,16575.3%Beats 82%A
2.0 Diesel2001–200622,93454.7%Beats 58%C
2.5 Petrol1999–20055,40560.4%Beats 67%B
2.7 Petrol2003–20031,08856.0%Beats 61%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 15.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 10.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 15.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.8 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 10.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.5 ptsSuspension: 11.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 6.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 ptsSuspension: 11.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 10.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 15.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 15.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 19.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.8 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 10.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.5 ptsSuspension: 11.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.6 ptsExhaust: 6.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 6.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
15.3% vs 19.2%
Suspension
11.6% vs 15.2%
Brakes
10.7% vs 11.3%
Body & structure
9.5% vs 6.6%
Emissions & leaks
6.3% vs 5.6%
Visibility
6.0% vs 6.9%
Tyres
3.9% vs 7.2%
Seat belts & airbags
2.8% vs 2.1%
Steering
0.9% vs 3.2%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Exhaust system
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Brake performance
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k87%80%72%65%58%54%52%49%
Suzuki Grand VitaraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights5.7%4.9%1.2×
Drive shaft (CV) joints4.0%2.4%1.7×
Windscreen wipers3.7%3.1%1.2×
Headlight aim3.5%5.1%0.7×
Brake pipes3.2%2.0%1.6×
Brake lights3.1%3.9%0.8×
Component mounting prescribed areas2.9%1.4%2.0×
Exhaust system2.6%2.3%1.1×
Brake performance2.5%2.0%1.3×
Engine warning light2.4%1.9%1.3×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning45.2
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc40.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn39.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen36.7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements35.1
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded29.9
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning28.7
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 repaired27.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2014 Suzuki Grand Vitara2 engines86.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,20786.0%Beats 95%A
1.6 Petrol1,47387.4%Beats 97%A
2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines80.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol5,05680.8%Beats 87%A
1.6 Petrol2,60584.0%Beats 93%A
1.9 Diesel2,51675.2%Beats 72%B
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines75.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol3,74575.8%Beats 73%B
1.9 Diesel3,61172.4%Beats 70%B
1.6 Petrol2,42677.8%Beats 79%B
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines72.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol6,59474.0%Beats 78%B
1.9 Diesel3,47368.3%Beats 68%B
1.6 Petrol2,85073.8%Beats 76%B
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines70.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol8,34473.2%Beats 84%A
1.9 Diesel4,48466.2%Beats 69%B
1.6 Petrol3,42271.3%Beats 77%B
2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara4 engines67.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel7,41064.1%Beats 67%B
2.4 Petrol5,21970.2%Beats 81%A
1.6 Petrol2,73468.6%Beats 71%B
2.0 Petrol2,23770.6%Beats 84%A
2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines64.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol8,25565.4%Beats 68%B
1.9 Diesel6,56862.4%Beats 69%B
2.0 Petrol6,10765.6%Beats 75%B
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines62.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol10,63062.4%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol7,83563.1%Beats 69%B
1.9 Diesel7,71960.5%Beats 66%B
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara4 engines58.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol8,76859.4%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol7,98258.6%Beats 61%B
1.9 Diesel4,82857.6%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel1,57357.0%Beats 58%C
2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara4 engines57.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol10,24458.8%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol7,41757.4%Beats 59%C
2.0 Diesel6,25155.7%Beats 59%C
2.5 Petrol1,73962.8%Beats 73%B
2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara4 engines57.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol9,71158.7%Beats 61%B
2.0 Diesel7,78654.2%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol6,16258.3%Beats 63%B
2.5 Petrol1,19762.6%Beats 77%B
2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara4 engines55.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol8,72656.0%Beats 55%C
2.0 Petrol4,94055.7%Beats 58%C
2.0 Diesel4,14154.8%Beats 61%B
2.7 Petrol1,08856.0%Beats 61%B
2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines55.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol7,43755.8%Beats 55%C
2.0 Petrol3,50556.9%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel2,00151.7%Beats 51%C
2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara3 engines55.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,54555.4%Beats 52%C
2.0 Petrol2,68755.0%Beats 52%C
2.0 Diesel1,18253.8%Beats 58%C
2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara2 engines55.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,79855.7%Beats 49%C
2.5 Petrol1,26254.9%Beats 50%C
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara1 engine60.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol1,20760.5%Beats 64%B

FAQ

What is the Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT pass rate?

63.1% of MOT tests on the Suzuki Grand Vitara were passed first time, based on 234,697 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2014. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 59.1% of the time.

Is the Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 65% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Grand Vitara does best for its age and mileage: it beats 70% of cars on UK roads. The 2005 does worst: it beats 59%.

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Petrol does best: it beats 82% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 58%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

The most common failure items are sidelights, drive shaft (CV) joints, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, drive shaft (CV) joints comes up 1.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.