2018 Suzuki Vitara: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Suzuki Vitara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Suzuki Vitara than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Brake lights3.6× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  2.9% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Braking performance2.8× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  3.4% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Sidelights4× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  2.4% All 2018 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2018 Suzuki Vitara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  19% 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
  8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Suspension
  2% 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.

Known faults on the 2018 Suzuki Vitara

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Paint and trim faults

  All engines

  Paint and exterior trim make up a share of the faults owners report.

  At the viewing: Look over the paint and trim.

  Source: Auto Express: used Suzuki Vitara (Mk4, 2015 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Suzuki Vitara

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2018 Suzuki Vitara as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2018 Suzuki Vitara as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2018 Suzuki Vitara as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?