2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,270 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.5% in the 150k+ group versus 14.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 2,150 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 1,526 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 1,161 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 763 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 708 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 686 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,046 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 925 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 800 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 764 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 640 |
| 6 | Wipers | 561 |
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 | 34.8% | 4,961 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.5% | 4,775 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 3,042 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 2,110 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 2,051 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 1,572 |
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 | 153 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,860 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,998 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,954 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,876 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 425 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,935 | 22.9% |
| Diesel | 4,335 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,390 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 3,216 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 2,890 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 2,561 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 2,213 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand/Vitara
Before buying a 2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% 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.
- Brakes (8.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitaras pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 14,270 2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Suzuki Grand/Vitara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2008 Grand/Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,270 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.