2016 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
60,979 MOT tests on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara are in this dataset, and 90.0% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (14.1% fail rate), the 2016 Vitara comes out 4.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.9%) and tyres (4.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, position lamp and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 2,709 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.6% in the 0-30k band and 23.6% in the 150k+ band, a 19.0-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.6pp more often than petrol ones (12.9% vs 9.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 3,582 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.5% | 2,746 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.3% | 2,034 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,760 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 767 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 250 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 2,709 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,775 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,623 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,198 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,019 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,015 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.3% | 13,608 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 12,562 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.9% | 5,432 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 2,222 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 2,040 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 1,126 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 9,758 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 30,858 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 15,658 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,909 | 17.5% |
| 120-150k | 630 | 19.4% |
| 150k+ | 161 | 23.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 49,913 | 9.3% |
| Diesel | 11,066 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,990 | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 12,084 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 12,256 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | 12,292 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 12,357 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Vitara
On a 2016 Vitara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.3% 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 2016 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 60,979 2016 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Suzuki Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by tyres (4.5%).
Does the 2016 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 60,979 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.