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Suzuki Vitara reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20243 named generationsSUVPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Suzuki Vitara built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Suzuki Vitaras built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Suzuki Vitara by number plate

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Suzuki Vitaras built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Suzuki Vitaras built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Suzuki Vitara's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Vitara's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Vitara Mk4 (LY)

Mk4 (LY) (2015-2024)

Average
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

15.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 14,084 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

32.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,015 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Suzuki Vitara.

See every build year for the Suzuki Vitara

Side-by-side

Suzuki Vitara generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (LY) (2015-2024)
Average
Average15.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 14,084 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating32.7%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 1,015 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Vitara, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Suzuki Vitara fail rate by age

This chart combines every Suzuki Vitara ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
6,7116.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,7087.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,6779.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
14,21311.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
14,08415.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
13,27716.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
11,31817.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,55617.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7025.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
6731.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
8434.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
6233.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
7528.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,01532.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Suzuki Vitara stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Suzuki models

4th of 7

4th lowest fail rate of 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

57th of 89

57th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

15.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Suzuki Vitaras

These issues come from 7-year-old Suzuki Vitaras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    21.2%
    Advisory: 4,585Fail: 638 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.5%
    Advisory: 1,592Fail: 216 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.1%
    Advisory: 1,353Fail: 21 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.3%
    Advisory: 1,312Fail: 102 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    4.0%
    Advisory: 561Fail: 102 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,084 MOT tests on 7-year-old Suzuki Vitaras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Suzuki Vitaras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres40%
  2. Lighting + Tyres18%
  3. Brakes + Lighting16%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,316 MOT tests on Suzuki Vitara cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

18 recalls in all

11 of the 18 Suzuki Vitara recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Possibility that the drivers side airbag when activated may deploy with a force greater than originally designed
  • Canister replacement

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 15.7% for the Suzuki Vitara, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 15.7% for the Suzuki Vitara, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 15.7% for the Suzuki Vitara, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 15.7% for the Suzuki Vitara, both built around 2018.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Suzuki Vitara across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 7 Suzuki models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 14,084 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Suzuki Vitara ever sold: 79,917 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 14,084 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.