At a Glance
The Suzuki Grand Vitara has 3 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1998-2005) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 779K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Suzuki Grand Vitara common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Suzuki Grand Vitara generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Suzuki Grand Vitara Generations
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Most Common Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT Failures
Every reason Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 9.74% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.27% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.25% |
| 4 | Driveshaft fault | 5.99% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.60% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.25% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.42% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 4.21% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 4.19% |
| 10 | Stop lamp not working | 3.66% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.41% |
| 12 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.10% |
| 13 | Position lamp not working | 2.78% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.26% |
| 15 | Tyre condition | 2.24% |
| 16 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.19% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.14% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.93% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.54% |
| 20 | Chassis condition | 1.46% |
| 21 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.42% |
| 22 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.35% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.18% |
| 24 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.13% |
| 25 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 1.04% |
| 26 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.99% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.96% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.88% |
| 29 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.81% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.78% |
| 31 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.62% |
| 32 | Front suspension fault | 0.51% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.50% |
| 34 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.47% |
| 35 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.45% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.39% |
| 37 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.38% |
| 38 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.38% |
| 39 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.36% |
| 40 | Fog lamp not working | 0.32% |
| 41 | Parking brake condition | 0.32% |
| 42 | ABS fault | 0.32% |
| 43 | Airbag warning light on | 0.29% |
| 44 | Horn not working | 0.28% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.27% |
| 46 | Rear suspension fault | 0.26% |
| 47 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 48 | Steering rack fault | 0.22% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.21% |
| 50 | Track rod end worn | 0.20% |
| 51 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.19% |
| 52 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.16% |
| 54 | Brake fluid leak | 0.16% |
| 55 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.15% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 57 | Engine oil leak | 0.14% |
| 58 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.14% |
| 59 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 60 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.13% |
| 61 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 62 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 63 | Towbar fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 65 | Propshaft fault | 0.09% |
| 66 | Brake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 67 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 69 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 70 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 71 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 72 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 73 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 75 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 79 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 80 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 84 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 85 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.03% |
| 87 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 88 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 89 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 92 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.03% |
| 93 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 95 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 97 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 98 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 103 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 109 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 112 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 113 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 114 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 119 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 146 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 147 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 150 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 154 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 157 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 160 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 175 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 181 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 182 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 184 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Suzuki Grand Vitara, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Suzuki Grand Vitara problems?
Based on analysis of 779K Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 3 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Suzuki Grand Vitara generation has the most problems?
The Suzuki Grand Vitara Mk1 (1998-2005) (1998–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (4). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Suzuki Grand Vitara owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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