2001 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 407 MOT tests, the 2001 Suzuki Vitara recorded a 72.7% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.2%, so the 2001 Vitara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Body, structure & corrosion dominates the failure mix at 13.8% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, joints and wipers — prescribed areas alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Vitara fails 23.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 26.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.2% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 56 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 39 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.3% | 38 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.1% | 33 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 20 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Joints | 30 |
| 3 | Wipers | 22 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 20 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
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 | 37.4% | 152 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 122 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.6% | 100 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.3% | 95 |
| 5 | Tyres | 20.2% | 82 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 74 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 60 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 79 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 166 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 68 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 338 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 69 | 23.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 126 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 90 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 73 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 68 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 50 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vitara
On a 2001 Vitara, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.8% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
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 2001 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 407 2001 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Suzuki Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.6%).
Does the 2001 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 30-60k band to 26.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 407 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.