2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
8,923 MOT tests on the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara are in this dataset, and 81.4% of them passed. That is 5.3 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 23.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.9% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — position lamp alone was recorded 507 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.0% versus 11.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.9pp more often than petrol ones (22.1% vs 17.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 1,152 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.9% | 703 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 492 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 366 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.2% | 198 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 160 |
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 | 507 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 360 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 358 |
| 4 | Wipers | 309 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 291 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 238 |
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 | 34.3% | 3,057 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.1% | 1,705 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.5% | 1,653 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 993 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.7% | 957 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 851 |
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 | 385 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,182 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 3,493 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,010 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 664 | 27.3% |
| 150k+ | 183 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,372 | 17.2% |
| Diesel | 2,551 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,860 | 16.6% |
| 2022 | 1,837 | 16.3% |
| 2023 | 1,788 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 1,787 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 1,651 | 21.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Grand Vitara
On a 2011 Grand Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.9% 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.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 8,923 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by brakes (7.9%).
Does the 2011 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,923 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.