Common problems by part
Suzuki Vitara suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 47,591 MOT tests · Updated
At 6 years, 0.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Suzuki Vitara failed on suspension, against 2.9 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 47,591 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.2× (0.16–0.20×)) (all test years), 243 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 8 ages from 3 to 10 years, 248,462 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, 0.1 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 2.9 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). The Suzuki Vitara fails less often here.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Suzuki Vitara suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 31,653 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 36,852 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 41,797 | 0.3 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 47,591 | 0.5 | 2.9 |
| 7 | 40,305 | 0.9 | 4.4 |
| 8 | 28,108 | 1.6 | 6.1 |
| 9 | 16,566 | 2.7 | 7.9 |
| 10 | 5,590 | 3.2 | 9.7 |
All first-use years of the Suzuki Vitara pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the suspension at 6 years
Fails
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace anti-roll bar link or joint: estimated £33–£102 (0.3–0.8 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil: 0.4 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.9. Shock absorber has light misting of oil MOT advisory
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Suzuki Vitara? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 1.6 petrol: 0.5 per 100 at 6 years, fails less often than petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (0.1–0.2×) (all test years; 24,017 MOT tests)
- 1.4 petrol: 0.4 per 100 at 6 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 12,945 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil.
Check one Suzuki Vitara, not the average
The figures here describe Suzuki Vitara cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Suzuki Vitara's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Suzuki Vitara problems
Suspension on rival models
- Vauxhall Mokka suspension problems: 6.5 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for the Suzuki Vitara (131,724 MOT tests)
- Nissan Juke suspension problems: 3.2 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for the Suzuki Vitara (118,052 MOT tests)
- Ford Ecosport suspension problems: 0.6 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for the Suzuki Vitara (75,520 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Suzuki Vitara have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.16 to 0.20 times the suspension fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 6 years (all test years), from 47,591 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 6 of the 8 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Suzuki Vitara suspension problems?
0.5 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on suspension, against 2.9 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 47,591 MOT tests).
What is the most common Suzuki Vitara suspension fail?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years: Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (65 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 248,462 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare