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Suzuki Vitara reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 407,465 MOT tests of cars first registered 1994–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
85.4%pass first time
+2.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 73%of cars
407,465MOT tests

Verdict

The Suzuki Vitara passes its MOT first time on 85.4% of tests, 2.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (82.7%). That puts it ahead of 73% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2020 Vitara does best (beats 92% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 62%).

Of its engines, the 1.4 Hybrid does best (beats 95%) and the 1.6 Diesel worst (beats 62%).

Better than average on suspension, body & structure, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Sidelights3.2×as often as a typical car
Tyre tread depth1.6×as often as a typical car
Brake lights2.4×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%100%345678910112090%88%84%80%77%
Suzuki 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.

1994
Beats 10%
1995
Beats 22%
1996
Beats 29%
1998
Beats 31%
1999
Beats 35%
2000
Beats 35%
2015
Beats 86%
2016
Beats 79%
2017
Beats 62%
2018
Beats 62%
2019
Beats 82%
2020
Beats 92%
2021
Beats 96%
2022
Beats 91%
2023
Beats 95%

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 Petrol1994–2018212,58383.2%Beats 67%B
1.4 Petrol2016–202084,24489.1%Beats 90%A
1.4 Hybrid2020–202339,40592.2%Beats 95%A
1.0 Petrol2018–201937,07987.3%Beats 70%B
1.6 Diesel2015–201832,94180.3%Beats 62%B
1.5 Hybrid2022–20221,21392.3%Beats 87%A

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: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% 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: 5.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% 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: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% 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: 5.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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−0.9 ptsTyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% 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+0.3 ptsSuspension: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% 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+1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% 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: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% 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: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% 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: 5.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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: 5.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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−0.9 ptsTyres: 4.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.3% 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+1.0 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.3% 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+0.3 ptsSuspension: 1.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 3.0% 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+1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.3% 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
Lights: 5.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
5.5% vs 4.6%
Tyres
4.3% vs 5.3%
Visibility
3.3% vs 3.4%
Brakes
3.0% vs 3.3%
Suspension
1.1% vs 3.0%
Body & structure
0.7% vs 1.0%
Emissions & leaks
0.6% vs 1.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.4%
Steering
0.3% vs 0.6%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights 3.2× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre tread depth 1.6× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • 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.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k95%90%85%79%71%65%62%
Suzuki VitaraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre tread depth2.9%1.8%1.6×
Windscreen wipers2.4%2.0%1.2×
Sidelights1.9%0.6%3.2×
Brake lights1.7%0.7%2.4×
Headlight aim1.4%1.7%0.8×
Brake pads1.4%1.7%0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking1.2%3.1%0.4×
Windscreen washers0.8%1.3%0.6×
Brake performance0.5%0.4%1.3×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.4%0.6%0.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements29.0
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen23.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning18.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning16.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm12.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen8.4
A tyre seriously damaged8.1
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.

2023 Suzuki Vitara1 engine92.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Hybrid2,32792.9%Beats 95%A
2022 Suzuki Vitara2 engines92.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Hybrid8,24392.3%Beats 92%A
1.5 Hybrid1,21392.3%Beats 87%A
2021 Suzuki Vitara1 engine92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Hybrid18,67792.4%Beats 96%A
2020 Suzuki Vitara2 engines91.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Hybrid10,15891.5%Beats 95%A
1.4 Petrol9,87191.0%Beats 88%A
2019 Suzuki Vitara2 engines89.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol31,31690.6%Beats 92%A
1.0 Petrol30,95787.5%Beats 70%B
2018 Suzuki Vitara4 engines85.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol49,17784.8%Beats 55%C
1.4 Petrol14,33988.5%Beats 84%A
1.0 Petrol6,12286.4%Beats 69%B
1.6 Diesel1,65482.8%Beats 51%C
2017 Suzuki Vitara3 engines84.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol58,52183.7%Beats 59%C
1.4 Petrol13,04787.3%Beats 86%A
1.6 Diesel6,87480.1%Beats 47%C
2016 Suzuki Vitara3 engines84.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol55,52184.6%Beats 79%B
1.4 Petrol15,67187.1%Beats 93%A
1.6 Diesel15,26480.1%Beats 61%B
2015 Suzuki Vitara2 engines84.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol39,47885.0%Beats 89%A
1.6 Diesel9,14980.2%Beats 71%B
2000 Suzuki Vitara1 engine54.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,61854.0%Beats 35%D
1999 Suzuki Vitara1 engine55.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,45255.8%Beats 35%D
1998 Suzuki Vitara1 engine55.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,95555.6%Beats 31%D
1996 Suzuki Vitara1 engine58.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,10358.1%Beats 29%D
1995 Suzuki Vitara1 engine58.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,36258.1%Beats 22%D
1994 Suzuki Vitara1 engine56.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,39656.9%Beats 10%E

FAQ

What is the Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate?

85.4% of MOT tests on the Suzuki Vitara were passed first time, based on 407,465 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1994–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 82.7% of the time.

Is the Suzuki 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 73% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Suzuki Vitara year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2020 Vitara does best for its age and mileage: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 62%.

Which Suzuki Vitara engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.4 Hybrid does best: it beats 95% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Diesel does worst: it beats 62%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre tread depth, windscreen wipers, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, sidelights comes up 3.2× 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.