1992 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
266 MOT tests on the 1992 Suzuki Vitara are in this dataset, and 75.6% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (26.1% fail rate), the 1992 Vitara comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.7% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — prescribed areas alone was recorded 32 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.7% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% 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 | 17.7% | 47 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 27 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.3% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 17 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 32 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 14 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 13 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 13 |
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 | 29.3% | 78 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.3% | 70 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.3% | 54 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 51 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.3% | 46 |
| 6 | Tyres | 16.5% | 44 |
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 | 68 | 23.5% |
| 30-60k | 71 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 94 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 55 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 50 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 52 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 37 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Vitara
On a 1992 Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.3% 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+.
- Brakes (10.2% 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 1992 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 266 1992 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Suzuki Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.3%).
Does the 1992 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 266 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.