Used car guide

1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, from 109 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 109 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

109MOT tests in 2025
47%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for tyre condition

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitaras than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Tyre condition2.6× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    31.2% All 1999 cars
    12%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.7% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

By area

The share of 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    33% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014500Brakes 30%
20131,111Brakes 34%
20121,052Brakes 39%
20111,343Brakes 39%
20101,590Brakes 39%
20091,549Suspension 43%
20081,767Suspension 47%
20071,859Suspension 50%
20061,490Suspension 52%
20051,801Suspension 43%
20041,638Suspension 42%
20031,097Suspension 40%
2002735Brakes 42%
2001403Suspension 44%
2000165Suspension 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitaras registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score