At a Glance
The Suzuki Vitara has 52 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk1 (1988-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 580K 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 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 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 Vitara Generations
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Most Common Suzuki Vitara MOT Failures
Every reason Suzuki 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 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 13.00% |
| 2 | Stop lamp not working | 8.68% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.77% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.03% |
| 5 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.67% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.59% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 4.44% |
| 8 | Front lamp not working | 4.43% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.41% |
| 10 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.03% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.93% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.38% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.34% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.12% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.93% |
| 16 | Front suspension fault | 1.85% |
| 17 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.82% |
| 18 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.69% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.57% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.46% |
| 21 | Parking brake condition | 1.42% |
| 22 | Chassis condition | 1.34% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 1.31% |
| 24 | Seat belt condition | 1.29% |
| 25 | Driveshaft fault | 1.05% |
| 26 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.98% |
| 27 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.86% |
| 28 | Indicator fault | 0.71% |
| 29 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.70% |
| 30 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.64% |
| 31 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.63% |
| 32 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.61% |
| 33 | Fog lamp not working | 0.59% |
| 34 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.55% |
| 35 | Headlamp fault | 0.48% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.46% |
| 37 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.44% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.35% |
| 39 | Rear suspension fault | 0.28% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.28% |
| 41 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.23% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.22% |
| 43 | Rear lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 44 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.22% |
| 45 | Drag link end worn | 0.20% |
| 46 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 47 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 48 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.17% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.16% |
| 50 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 51 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.15% |
| 52 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.15% |
| 53 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 54 | Horn not working | 0.13% |
| 55 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 57 | Steering rack fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.12% |
| 59 | ABS fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 61 | Airbag warning light on | 0.11% |
| 62 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 63 | Steering arm worn | 0.09% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 65 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 66 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 69 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.07% |
| 71 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.07% |
| 72 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 74 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 76 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 79 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 81 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 84 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 85 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 88 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 90 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Steering drive system fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 97 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 98 | Steering box fault | 0.03% |
| 99 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.03% |
| 100 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 101 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 102 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 103 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 106 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 107 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 111 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 114 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 115 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 116 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 118 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.01% |
| 120 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 122 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 131 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 133 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 137 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 138 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 140 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 146 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 150 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 152 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 155 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 165 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 171 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 176 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 177 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 181 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 182 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Suzuki Vitara MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Suzuki 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 Vitara problems?
Based on analysis of 580K Suzuki Vitara MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 52 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Suzuki Vitara generation has the most problems?
The Suzuki Vitara Mk1 (1988-1998) (1988–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (69). 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 Vitara?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Suzuki Vitara owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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