Used car guide

2020 Suzuki Vitara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Suzuki Vitaras, from 5,171 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,171MOT tests in 2025
91%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,700typical miles a year
23%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2020 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% 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
    1% 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.

Looking at a Suzuki Vitara?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,197Tyres 15%
20216,328Tyres 18%
201912,737Tyres 25%
201812,019Tyres 27%
201711,416Tyres 27%
201610,919Tyres 28%
20155,571Brakes 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Suzuki Vitaras registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score