2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara passed 72.6% of its 14,391 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2006 Grand Vitara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and suspension (13.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,172 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.4% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.3% of the time against 27.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 26.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 2,274 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 1,958 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 1,257 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 1,131 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 1,056 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 763 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,172 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 931 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 914 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 791 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 725 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 680 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.2% | 5,354 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 4,691 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.7% | 3,124 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 2,891 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 2,174 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 1,952 |
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 | 132 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,353 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,606 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 5,191 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,538 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 566 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,890 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 3,501 | 27.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,879 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 3,415 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 2,847 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 2,381 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 1,869 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Grand Vitara
On a 2006 Grand Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (8.7% 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+.
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 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 14,391 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2006 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,391 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.