Used car guide

2003 Suzuki Vitara: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Suzuki Vitara first registered in 2003: we looked at the 194 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 194 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

194MOTs of 2003 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Suzuki Vitara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Suzuki Vitara than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9× usual
    Suzuki Vitara
    19.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2003 Suzuki Vitara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    45% 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.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2003 Suzuki Vitara as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Suzuki Vitara?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Suzuki Vitara compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023292Tyres 9%
20226,340Tyres 15%
202112,728Tyres 17%
202015,627Tyres 19%
201937,823Tyres 23%
201835,789Tyres 26%
201733,922Tyres 27%
201632,674Tyres 27%
201516,570Tyres 28%
2011103Brakes 40%
2009124Brakes 51%
2008153Suspension 41%
2007109Suspension 52%
2005211Suspension 36%
2004276Suspension 41%
2002241Suspension 49%
2001130Brakes 38%
2000329Brakes 49%
1999566Brakes 50%
1998483Brakes 42%
1997252Brakes 38%
1996297Brakes 45%
1995345Brakes 44%
1994295Brakes 41%
1993169Brakes 43%
1992116Brakes 39%
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Suzuki Vitara cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score