2009 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Suzuki Vitara passed 79.0% of its 323 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.6 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.2% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and wipers — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 22 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.3% versus 12.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.8% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 36 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 23 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 15 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 13 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 3 | Wipers | 11 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 11 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
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 | 43.3% | 140 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.6% | 102 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 69 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 64 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.9% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 38 |
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 | 31 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 60 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 199 | 17.6% |
| Diesel | 124 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 69 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 62 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 65 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 49 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vitara
On a 2009 Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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 (7.1% 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 2009 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 323 2009 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Suzuki Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2009 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 323 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.