2021 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Suzuki Vitara passed 95.7% of its 13,427 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.9 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 7.2%. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.0%) and tyres (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 462 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.1% in the 0-30k band and 16.1% in the 90-120k band, a 13.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 5.9% in 2023 to 3.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.0% | 398 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.3% | 310 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 221 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 106 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 23 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 462 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 218 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 210 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 64 |
| 5 | Washers | 57 |
| 6 | Daytime running lamps | 34 |
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 | 15.0% | 2,016 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 779 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 703 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 478 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 73 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 56 |
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 | 8,871 | 3.1% |
| 30-60k | 4,204 | 6.2% |
| 60-90k | 311 | 10.0% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 13,376 | 4.3% |
| Petrol | 48 | 8.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 269 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 6,624 | 4.5% |
| 2025 | 6,518 | 3.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Vitara
On a 2021 Vitara, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT?
95.7% of the 13,427 2021 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Suzuki Vitara?
Visibility, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by tyres (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,427 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.