2007 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 317 MOT tests, the 2007 Suzuki Vitara recorded a 71.3% pass rate. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.5%) and lighting & signalling (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp and exhaust system — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 31 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 Vitara fails 29.4% of the time in the 60-90k band and 31.7% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 38.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 46 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 29 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 23 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 18 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 31 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 18 |
| 4 | Wipers | 17 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.0% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.0% | 114 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 87 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 63 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.9% | 60 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.9% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 109 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 126 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 163 | 27.6% |
| Petrol | 154 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 71 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 64 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 52 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 44 | 38.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Vitara
On a 2007 Vitara, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.2% 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+.
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 2007 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 317 2007 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Suzuki Vitara?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.2%).
Does the 2007 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.4% in the 60-90k band to 31.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 317 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.