1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
1,087 MOT tests on the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.4%, so the 1999 Grand Vitara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Body, structure & corrosion dominates the failure mix at 16.6% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 88 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.2% in the 30-60k band and 34.6% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 180 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 133 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 116 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 59 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 49 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 88 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 86 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 80 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 78 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 66 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 59 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.0% | 380 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.9% | 368 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.7% | 312 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.2% | 285 |
| 5 | Tyres | 25.5% | 277 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 186 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 91 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 264 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 345 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 244 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 136 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 817 | 28.9% |
| Diesel | 270 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 324 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 261 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 196 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 156 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 150 | 35.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Grand Vitara
On a 1999 Grand Vitara, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 1,087 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.2%).
Does the 1999 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 30-60k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,087 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.