2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  4.6% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2.5× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  3.7% All 2016 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Sidelights2.6× usual
  Suzuki Vitara

  3.4% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol 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
  24% 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
  10% 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.

• Suspension
  6% 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.

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

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

Known faults on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol

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.

• Rear axle bolt recall (built Oct to Dec 2015)

  Built Oct to Dec 2015

  Poor-quality rear axle bolts could work loose or break on cars built October to December 2015.

  At the viewing: Ask a Suzuki dealer to confirm the recall was done.

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

• 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 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol

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

1. Has the rear axle bolt recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2016 Suzuki Vitara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?