2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
16,736 MOT tests on the 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,146 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 28.0% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 24.3% fail against 26.6% for diesel, a 2.3-point gap across 16,732 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 2,626 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 1,884 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 1,269 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 1,078 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 1,050 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 892 |
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 | 1,146 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,067 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 971 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 874 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 858 |
| 6 | Wipers | 762 |
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 | 36.9% | 6,182 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.2% | 5,731 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 3,549 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 2,911 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 2,327 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 1,983 |
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 | 144 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,853 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,712 | 22.7% |
| 90-120k | 6,185 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,342 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 493 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,179 | 24.3% |
| Diesel | 4,553 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,219 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 3,930 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 3,494 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 2,792 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 2,301 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Grand Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 16,736 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2007 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,736 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.