1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate and common faults

188 MOT tests in 2024. 51.6% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

82Well below average
Passed first time51.6%
Failed or needed repairs48.4%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 188 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements9.0%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases6.4%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively5.9%
  4. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting5.9%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.3%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle4.3%
  7. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened4.3%
  8. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced3.7%
  9. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  10. Individual direction indicators: not working3.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes43.1%
  2. Lights & electrics36.7%
  3. Body & chassis29.8%
  4. Suspension17.6%
  5. Emissions & leaks13.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.2%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.8%
  8. Number plates & VIN2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine25.0%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded22.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.7%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases9.6%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.0%

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: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 1999 Suzuki Vitara?

In 2024, 51.6% of 1999 Suzuki Vitara cars passed their MOT first time, across 188 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Suzuki Vitara?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1999 Suzuki Vitara reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 82, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).