2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,554 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitara, the most common recorded failure areas were body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.9% in the 150k+ group versus 18.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 1,113 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 937 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 848 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 773 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 497 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 402 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 702 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 613 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 421 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 369 |
| 5 | Wipers | 367 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 356 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.9% | 2,708 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.1% | 2,424 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.2% | 2,206 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.6% | 1,707 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.5% | 1,627 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 1,282 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 97 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 637 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,175 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,546 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,461 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 634 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,594 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 960 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,202 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 1,815 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 1,433 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 1,175 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 929 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Grand/Vitara
Before buying a 2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Body, structure & corrosion accounted for 14.7% of tests for this year.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitaras pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 7,554 2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Suzuki Grand/Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.4%).
Does the 2002 Grand/Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 0-30k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,554 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.