Does the Suzuki Vitara fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Suzuki Vitara records 2.19 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 4.42 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.23, 95% interval −2.31 to −2.15). It ranks 405 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Suzuki Vitara by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Suzuki Vitara is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 1,748 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 1,748 | 0.62 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 1,105 | 0.39 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 801 | 0.28 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 732 | 0.26 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 463 | 0.16 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 282,770 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Suzuki Vitara gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
13.8% of Suzuki Vitara MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 3,060 miles later (3,830 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,830 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Suzuki Vitara 1999 · Suzuki Vitara 2000 · Suzuki Vitara 2002 · Suzuki Vitara 2015 · Suzuki Vitara 2016 · Suzuki Vitara 2017 · Suzuki Vitara 2018 · Suzuki Vitara 2019 · Suzuki Vitara 2020 · Suzuki Vitara in Norway · Suzuki Vitara in Finland · Suzuki Vitara in the Netherlands · Suzuki Vitara by postcode area · Suzuki Vitara body, chassis and structure failures · Suzuki Vitara brakes failures · Suzuki Vitara vehicle identification failures · Suzuki Vitara lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Suzuki Vitara noise, emissions and leaks failures · Suzuki Vitara road wheels failures · Suzuki Vitara seat belts and airbags failures · Suzuki Vitara steering failures · Suzuki Vitara tyres failures · Suzuki Vitara visibility failures