Used car guide

2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, from 1,097 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,097MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,500typical miles a year
4.1×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitaras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.1× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    16.3% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    16.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.4× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    6.1% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.1× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    6.2% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Wheel bearings2× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    7.7% All 2003 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.8% here, against 12.7% of all 2003 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.9% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    39% 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
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    26% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    22% 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.

Looking at a Suzuki Grand Vitara?

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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%
2002735Brakes 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitaras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score