1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate and common faults

159 MOT tests in 2024. 64.8% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time64.8%
Failed or needed repairs35.2%
Typical mileage at test90,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 159 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.0%
  2. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced5.0%
  3. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting5.0%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.8%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.1%
  6. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits3.1%
  7. Rear fog lamp: not working3.1%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.5%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes27.7%
  2. Lights & electrics23.3%
  3. Emissions & leaks16.4%
  4. Body & chassis15.7%
  5. Suspension9.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  7. Seat belts & airbags5.0%
  8. Steering1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.5%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.4%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.1%
  5. Non-component advisories: Fuel Pipe/s corroded8.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: service brake imbalance: across an axle. 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 1998 Suzuki Vitara?

In 2024, 64.8% of 1998 Suzuki Vitara cars passed their MOT first time, across 159 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Suzuki Vitara?

The most common failure reasons were service brake imbalance: across an axle; 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. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1998 Suzuki Vitara reliable at MOT time?

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