Suzuki X90 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Suzuki X90 appears in 896 MOT tests spanning model years 1996–2007, and 73.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.0% fail rate), the X90 comes out 1.2pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests against 9.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and integral vehicle structure condition — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 97 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.8% versus 19.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every X90 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 258 | 74.0% | 26.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 603 | 73.3% | 26.7% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 147 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.0% | 81 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 81 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 70 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.9% | 53 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 44 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.5% | 40 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.6% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 97 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 86 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 75 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 66 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 54 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 7 | Service brake performance | 44 |
| 8 | Wipers | 44 |
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 | 38.5% | 345 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.8% | 222 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.8% | 204 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.9% | 178 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.6% | 149 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 115 |
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 | 177 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 368 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 257 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 190 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 210 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 177 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 168 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 151 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a Suzuki X90
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.0% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Suzuki X90?
73.8% of the 896 Suzuki X90 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 26.2% fail rate, across model years 1996–2007.
What does the Suzuki X90 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, then brakes (9.0%).
How much does mileage affect X90 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.8% for cars in the 30-60k band and 25.8% for 120-150k, a 6.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 896 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.