2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,152 MOT tests, the 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara recorded a 71.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 10.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, prescribed areas and integral vehicle structure condition — joints alone was recorded 358 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.5% once past 150k — 5.4× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.0% fail against 29.6% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 4,152 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.0% in 2021 to 27.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 629 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 452 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 444 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.7% | 402 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 295 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 222 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 358 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 346 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 280 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 242 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 212 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 200 |
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 | 36.0% | 1,495 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.0% | 1,368 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.4% | 1,219 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.4% | 973 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 906 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 601 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 48 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 382 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,087 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,614 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 746 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 266 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,652 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 500 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,281 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 1,007 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 757 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 624 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 483 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Grand Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.2% 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 (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% 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 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 4,152 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.9%).
Does the 2001 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,152 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.