2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara passed 71.9% of its 16,583 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.0%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 1,406 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.8% versus 14.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.8% of the time against 29.1% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.0% | 2,154 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 2,125 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 1,767 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 1,491 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 1,167 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 737 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,406 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 909 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 889 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 795 |
| 5 | Wipers | 661 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 640 |
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 | 32.5% | 5,382 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.7% | 5,250 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.1% | 4,333 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.0% | 3,648 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 2,798 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 2,203 |
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 | 170 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,963 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,187 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 5,576 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,702 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 967 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,658 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 3,925 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,369 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 3,786 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 3,325 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 2,800 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 2,303 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Grand Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 13.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.8% 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 (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 16,583 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Suspension, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.8%).
Does the 2005 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,583 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.