2003 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
545 MOT tests on the 2003 Suzuki Vitara are in this dataset, and 72.3% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.2%, so the 2003 Vitara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (12.1%) and lighting & signalling (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.7% once past 120-150k — 2.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 66 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 64 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.4% | 62 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.7% | 42 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 39 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 28 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 33 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 26 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 22 |
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 | 36.9% | 201 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.2% | 170 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.7% | 151 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 108 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 100 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 81 |
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 | 61 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 142 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 211 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 101 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 160 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 125 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 96 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 86 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 78 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Vitara
On a 2003 Vitara, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.1% 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 (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 2003 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 545 2003 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Suzuki Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.7%).
Does the 2003 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.8% in the 30-60k band to 29.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 545 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.