Used car guide

2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, from 1,343 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,343MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitaras than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.8× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    17.1% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Transmission oil leaks6.6× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    7.3% All 2011 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Corroded fuel pipes18× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    5.4% All 2011 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.9× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    5.9% All 2011 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.3× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    3% All 2011 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.9% here, against 10.3% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 2.3% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% 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
    23% 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
    13% 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
    12% 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.

Looking at a Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014500Brakes 30%
20131,111Brakes 34%
20121,052Brakes 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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitaras registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score