SUZUKI VITARA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,262 MOT tests from 333 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every SUZUKI VITARA has the same fault.

SUZUKI VITARA's have a extremely good reliability rating of 763/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SUZUKI VITARA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SUZUKI VITARA.

SUZUKI VITARA (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	858/999Excellent	70,533 miles	6,293 vehicles
N/A	N/A	775/999Very good	71,221 miles	6,060 vehicles
N/A	N/A	760/999Very good	69,373 miles	3,458 vehicles
N/A	N/A	745/999Very good	69,448 miles	813 vehicles
N/A	N/A	727/999Very good	69,294 miles	1,037 vehicles
N/A	N/A	713/999Very good	68,828 miles	767 vehicles

How reliable is the SUZUKI VITARA?

Based on 2,262 MOT tests from 333 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

333

MOT tests

2,262

Pass rate

86.2%

Median mileage

58,076 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SUZUKI VITARA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 837 out of 999.

Common SUZUKI VITARA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 417 advisory comments and 64 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 106 advisory comments and 17 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 56 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

SUZUKI VITARA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	5	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	26	35	82.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2022	12	24	91.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	15	47	97.9%	Tyre wear
2020	15	69	89.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	42	223	89.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	60	400	89.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	62	512	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	55	506	86.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	32	339	83.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used SUZUKI VITARA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a SUZUKI VITARA?

Common problems tell you what can affect SUZUKI VITARAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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