At a Glance
The Suzuki Samurai has 49 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1988-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 39K 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 Samurai 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 Samurai 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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Most Common Suzuki Samurai MOT Failures
Every reason Suzuki Samurai 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 | Exhaust system fault | 10.18% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.16% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.71% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.62% |
| 5 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.62% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.41% |
| 7 | Suspension mounting corroded | 3.54% |
| 8 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.91% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 2.76% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.41% |
| 11 | Parking brake condition | 2.18% |
| 12 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.02% |
| 13 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 1.88% |
| 14 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 1.84% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 1.80% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.68% |
| 17 | Front suspension fault | 1.62% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.61% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.61% |
| 20 | Rear suspension fault | 1.41% |
| 21 | Position lamp not working | 1.39% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.37% |
| 23 | Spring mounting corroded | 1.08% |
| 24 | Headlamp fault | 1.00% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.98% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.91% |
| 27 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.87% |
| 28 | Horn not working | 0.85% |
| 29 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.82% |
| 30 | Track rod end worn | 0.80% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.76% |
| 32 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.74% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.73% |
| 34 | Indicator fault | 0.68% |
| 35 | Drag link end worn | 0.67% |
| 36 | Chassis condition | 0.66% |
| 37 | Seat belt condition | 0.63% |
| 38 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.62% |
| 39 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.61% |
| 40 | Steering operation fault | 0.60% |
| 41 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.60% |
| 42 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.58% |
| 43 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.56% |
| 44 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.56% |
| 45 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.51% |
| 46 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.47% |
| 47 | Electrical switch fault | 0.42% |
| 48 | Fog lamp not working | 0.42% |
| 49 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.42% |
| 50 | Brake pedal fault | 0.37% |
| 51 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.37% |
| 52 | Steering box fault | 0.37% |
| 53 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.36% |
| 54 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.35% |
| 55 | Steering coupling worn | 0.35% |
| 56 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.35% |
| 57 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.34% |
| 58 | Steering damper fault | 0.33% |
| 59 | Driveshaft fault | 0.31% |
| 60 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.31% |
| 61 | Steering column fault | 0.30% |
| 62 | Steering lock fault | 0.30% |
| 63 | Body security fault | 0.28% |
| 64 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.26% |
| 65 | Brake caliper fault | 0.24% |
| 66 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.22% |
| 67 | Passenger seat fault | 0.20% |
| 68 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.19% |
| 69 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.19% |
| 70 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.18% |
| 71 | Steering arm worn | 0.18% |
| 72 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.17% |
| 73 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.15% |
| 74 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.15% |
| 75 | Towbar fault | 0.15% |
| 76 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 77 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.14% |
| 78 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.13% |
| 79 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.13% |
| 80 | Driver seat fault | 0.12% |
| 81 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 82 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.12% |
| 83 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.12% |
| 84 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.11% |
| 85 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.11% |
| 86 | Propshaft fault | 0.11% |
| 87 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 88 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.10% |
| 89 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 90 | Steering free play excessive | 0.09% |
| 91 | Stub axle worn | 0.09% |
| 92 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.08% |
| 93 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.08% |
| 94 | Steering shaft fault | 0.08% |
| 95 | Brake fluid leak | 0.08% |
| 96 | Engine oil leak | 0.08% |
| 97 | Speedometer fault | 0.08% |
| 98 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 99 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 100 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.07% |
| 101 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 102 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 103 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.06% |
| 104 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 105 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 106 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 107 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.05% |
| 108 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.04% |
| 109 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.04% |
| 110 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 111 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 112 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 113 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 114 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.03% |
| 115 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 116 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 117 | Transmission oil leak | 0.03% |
| 118 | Universal joint worn | 0.03% |
| 119 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.02% |
| 121 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 122 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 123 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 124 | Steering rack fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 126 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 127 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 128 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 130 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 132 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 133 | Halfshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 134 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.01% |
| 135 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 136 | ABS fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Airbag warning light on | <0.01% |
| 139 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 153 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
Showing all 159 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Suzuki Samurai MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Suzuki Samurai, 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 Samurai problems?
Based on analysis of 39K Suzuki Samurai MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 49 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Body corrosion or damage". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Suzuki Samurai generation has the most problems?
The Suzuki Samurai Mk1 (1988-1998) (1988–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (63). 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 Samurai?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Suzuki Samurai owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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