Small SUV · 1996–2021 cars

Suzuki Vitara reliability

The Suzuki Vitara fails 14.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 187,942 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 62/100#15 of 40 small suvs

Checking a Suzuki Vitara before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 14.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 14% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 187,942; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Suzuki Vitara has a good MOT record. Only 14.8% of Suzuki Vitara cars fail their first MOT, against 28.4% of all cars. It also has 14% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and ranks 15 of 40 small SUV models. Its weakest area is lights and electrics, with 20% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Model year makes a difference. Cars from 2021 have 38% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2017 is the weakest year, at 6% fewer. A Suzuki Vitara can still be a good buy, but check the individual car. Start with the tyres, where tread below 1.6mm is the most common MOT failure at 2.64% of tests. Then test the wipers, position lamps and stop lamps, which are also common failures.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Suzuki Vitara ages

Each point is the share of Suzuki Vitaras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Suzuki VitaraAll cars

Suzuki Vitara first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Suzuki Vitara	All cars
3	9.3%	12.3%
4	11.5%	14.1%
5	14.2%	16.4%
6	15.8%	19.1%
7	17.7%	22.1%
8	19.6%	25.5%
9	19.5%	28.8%
16	41.2%	42.9%
17	44.5%	43.4%
18	51.8%	43.5%
19	42%	43.4%
20	39.2%	42.8%
21	48.2%	41.4%
22	44.8%	40.6%
23	44.9%	38.9%
24	44.8%	37.1%
25	38.6%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Suzuki Vitara years

2021 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Suzuki Vitara MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Vitara	2,354	6.8%	38% fewer fails	22,434
2020 Vitara	9,068	7.9%	33% fewer fails	25,278
2019 Vitara	34,526	10%	21% fewer fails	28,523
2018 Vitara	41,580	13.5%	7% fewer fails	34,189
2017 Vitara	39,218	16%	6% fewer fails	42,025
2016 Vitara	37,404	16.5%	17% fewer fails	50,245
2015 Vitara	18,894	17.5%	24% fewer fails	56,603
2008	241	36.9%	12% fewer fails	85,823
2005	297	50.5%	16% more fails	99,248
2004	349	43.6%	0% more fails	101,573
2003	267	43.4%	2% more fails	98,134
2002	333	47.4%	13% more fails	97,104
2001	215	40.5%	0% fewer fails	100,694
2000	460	45.4%	20% more fails	81,406
1999	966	45.8%	25% more fails	83,054
1998	739	38.8%	8% more fails	91,758

Common problems

What fails most on a Suzuki Vitara

Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 20% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics5.5%20% above avg
Tyres4.4%15% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.3%1% below avg
Brakes3.2%4% below avg
Suspension0.9%69% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.6%37% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%58% below avg
Steering0.3%50% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.3%23% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.64% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.13% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working 1.57% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Stop lamp not working 1.52% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.2% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.66% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.57% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.53% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Suzuki Vitara's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit13.7%
Brake pads wearing thin7.04%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.51%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.37%
Child seat limits belt inspection2.57%
Brake discs showing some wear1.71%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Suzuki Vitara

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Suzuki Vitara covers about 7,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol88.5%
Diesel8%
Hybrid2.4%
Other1.1%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Black, Turquoise, Red

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Suzuki Vitara compares with its rivals

Suzuki Vitara against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi Q2	9.1%	37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen T-Roc	9%	34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC40	9.3%	30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz GLA	13.4%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Suzuki Vitara	14.8%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota C-HR	14.2%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Dacia Duster	26.9%	39% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Suzuki models.

Questions

Suzuki Vitara questions, answered

Is the Suzuki Vitara reliable?

On MOT results, the Suzuki Vitara is about average: it fails 14.8% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 40 small suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Suzuki Vitara MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Suzuki Vitara are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.64% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.13% of tests), position lamp not working (1.57% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 5.5% of its tests.

Which Suzuki Vitara year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Suzuki Vitara do a year?

A typical Suzuki Vitara covers about 7,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Suzuki Vitara before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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