2008 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 396 MOT tests, the 2008 Suzuki Vitara recorded a 77.5% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 26.4% of the time, so this is 3.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests against 9.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 33 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.0% versus 21.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 61 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 37 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 33 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 17 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 16 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 5 | Wipers | 14 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 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 | Suspension | 31.3% | 124 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 117 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.2% | 76 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 63 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 54 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.6% | 42 |
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 | 33 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 180 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 125 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 291 | 23.0% |
| Diesel | 105 | 20.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 97 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 93 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 75 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 71 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 60 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% 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.
- Brakes (8.3% 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 2008 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 396 2008 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Suzuki Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2008 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 26.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 396 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.