2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara passed 76.1% of its 14,272 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.0 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.1% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, component mounting prescribed areas and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 1,046 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.4% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (26.0% vs 22.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 2,150 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 1,526 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 1,161 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 763 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 708 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 686 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,046 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 925 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 800 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 764 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 640 |
| 6 | Wipers | 561 |
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 | 34.8% | 4,961 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.5% | 4,775 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 3,042 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 2,110 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 2,051 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 1,572 |
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 | 153 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,860 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,998 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,956 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,876 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 425 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,935 | 22.9% |
| Diesel | 4,337 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,390 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 3,217 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 2,890 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 2,562 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 2,213 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand Vitara
On a 2008 Grand Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% 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.
- Brakes (8.1% 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 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 14,272 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2008 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,272 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.