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Suzuki Grand Vitara years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

16,197 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2013 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Suzuki Grand Vitara year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2009–2013. The other 6 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

62.0%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 61.3% to 62.8%.

In 2025, 62.0% of the 16,197 initial MOT tests on Suzuki Grand Vitara cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 59.0%. That is 3.0 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Grand Vitara

Its own MOT history, free.

Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2013age 121,10968,20076.3%±2.6+10.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 131,04575,80067.9%±2.9+4.4 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 141,34082,50065.4%±2.6+4.2 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 151,58385,20064.7%±2.4+5.4 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 161,54190,30063.5%±2.5+5.2 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 171,75894,40058.6%±2.4+1.4 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,83496,10059.6%±2.3+2.2 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 191,47599,90055.4%±2.6−1.6 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,79296,40058.3%±2.3+0.7 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,635101,40059.7%±2.4+1.9 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,08599,80059.7%±3.0+1.0 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Suzuki Grand Vitara first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

74.2% of Suzuki Grand Vitara tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 54.1% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 69.9% and 54.7%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9992,32474.2%±1.9+4.3 ptsall: 69.9%
60,000–89,9995,21665.2%±1.4+4.6 ptsall: 60.6%
90,000–119,9995,11156.8%±1.4+1.1 ptsall: 55.7%
120,000 or more3,17854.1%±1.8−0.6 ptsall: 54.7%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Grand Vitara tests were above average at 30,000 to 89,999 miles and about average at 90,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Suzuki Grand Vitara tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 59 tests (0.4%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Grand Vitara problems at the MOT

Share of the 6,152 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Grand Vitara

Based on the areas where Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 46.9% of failed Grand Vitara tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 37.4% of failed Grand Vitara tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Brakes

    In 25.3% of failed Grand Vitara tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 14.9% of failed Grand Vitara tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Grand Vitara's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Suzuki Grand Vitara cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Suzuki Grand Vitara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.6% failed on tyres, against 2.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,480 and 6,678 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory6.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 18.5% of those with a tyre advisory and 18.8% of the others.

Brakes

Of Suzuki Grand Vitara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.0% failed on brakes, against 6.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,417 and 5,639 cars.

  • With a brake advisory11.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.4% of those with a brake advisory and 18.5% of the others.

Suspension

Of Suzuki Grand Vitara cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 18.4% failed on suspension, against 9.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,839 and 6,121 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory18.4%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted9.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 24.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.0% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Suzuki Grand Vitara questions

Which Suzuki Grand Vitara years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2009–2013. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 62.0% of initial MOT tests on Suzuki Grand Vitara cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 59.0%. That is 3.0 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Suzuki Grand Vitara problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 46.9% of failed tests), suspension (in 37.4% of failed tests) and brakes (in 25.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Suzuki Grand Vitara?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Suzuki Grand Vitara cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 85,200 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Grand Vitara's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Suzuki Grand Vitara

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Suzuki models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 10 Suzuki modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Suzuki Grand Vitara cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count