2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
6,665 MOT tests on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara are in this dataset, and 82.6% of them passed. That is 4.9 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests against 7.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 323 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.6% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 15.6% fail against 20.2% for diesel, a 4.6-point gap across 6,665 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 735 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 502 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.9% | 329 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 288 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 183 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 71 |
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 | 323 |
| 2 | Wipers | 254 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 249 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 187 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 173 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 158 |
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 | 32.7% | 2,182 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.1% | 1,273 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.2% | 1,143 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 654 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.6% | 640 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 386 |
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 | 443 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,180 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,391 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,266 | 24.5% |
| 120-150k | 299 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 84 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,119 | 15.6% |
| Diesel | 2,546 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,375 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 1,343 | 15.3% |
| 2023 | 1,346 | 17.4% |
| 2024 | 1,321 | 18.6% |
| 2025 | 1,280 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Grand Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.5% 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 (4.9% 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 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
82.6% of the 6,665 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by brakes (7.5%).
Does the 2012 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,665 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.