1996 · 28 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1996 Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate and common faults

100 MOT tests in 2024. 60.0% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time60.0%
Failed or needed repairs40.0%
Typical mileage at test89,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 100 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced8.0%
  2. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting7.0%
  3. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits6.0%
  4. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.0%
    9 marked dangerous
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid4.0%
  8. Stop lamp: not working3.0%
  9. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.0%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics38.0%
  2. Emissions & leaks24.0%
  3. Brakes23.0%
  4. Body & chassis22.0%
  5. Suspension18.0%
  6. Seat belts & airbags9.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.0%
  8. Number plates & VIN4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.0%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.0%
  4. Non-component advisories: Fuel Pipe/s corroded14.0%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Suzuki Vitara?

In 2024, 60.0% of 1996 Suzuki Vitara cars passed their MOT first time, across 100 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Suzuki Vitara?

The most common failure reasons were seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced; chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1996 Suzuki Vitara reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).