Used car guide

2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitaras, from 1,111 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,111MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitaras than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    12.1% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes33× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    3.3% All 2013 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 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 leaks4.6× usual
    Suzuki Grand Vitara
    3.2% All 2013 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 7% here, against 14.3% of all 2013 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.8% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    20% 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.

  • Tyres
    19% 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
    7% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Suzuki Grand Vitara?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014500Brakes 30%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitaras registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score