Small, tough and refuses to let you down
The modern Suzuki Vitara (2015 onwards) is a compact crossover that punches above its weight on reliability, equipment and real-world running costs. It appeals to buyers who want a nimble, well-built small SUV without the premium price tag of a Volkswagen T-Roc or SEAT Arona. Suzuki's strong dealer network and reputation for longevity make it a smart used buy.
We track 5 known issues across the Suzuki Vitara range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Suzuki Vitara? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
FT (1988–2005) — Petrol options included the 1.6 16v, 2.0 V6, with 2.0 TD, 1.9 DDiS on the diesel side.
LY (2006–2014) — Engine options included the 1.6 VVT, 2.0 V6. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Body mounting point corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
LY2 (2015–2024) — Petrol options included the 1.6 VVT, 1.4 Boosterjet, 1.0 Boosterjet, with 1.6 DDiS on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Body mounting point corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
The Suzuki Vitara suffers from premature corrosion at critical structural mounting points where the body attaches to the chassis rails. This affects the fundamental structural integrity of the vehicle and is a known MOT failure point. The corrosion typically starts around suspension mounting points and spreads to adjacent areas, with MOT data showing failure rates over 200 times the national average on 1.6-litre variants. This is a structural safety issue that can affect vehicle handling and crashworthiness.
Structural mounting point corrosion compromises vehicle safety and is an automatic MOT failure. Repair requires cutting out corroded sections and welding in new metal, typically costing £800-£2,000 depending on extent. Severe cases may render the vehicle uneconomical to repair. The car should not be driven if structural integrity is compromised.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The problem affects door frames, sills, wheel arches, and rear hatch areas. This represents poor corrosion protection from the factory and affects both the LY and LY2 generations despite their relatively young age. The issue can progress from cosmetic surface rust to structural problems requiring extensive bodywork.
Extensive body corrosion leads to MOT failure and expensive bodywork. Surface rust can be treated but structural corrosion requires professional cutting and welding. Repair costs vary from £300 for localised treatment to over £2,000 for extensive structural work. Untreated corrosion spreads rapidly and reduces the vehicle's structural integrity.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The third-generation Vitara suffers from premature wear in transmission joints, most commonly the driveshaft CV joints. MOT data shows failure rates over 400 times the national average on 1.6-litre variants. The issue typically manifests as worn CV joint boots leading to contamination and subsequent joint failure. This appears to be related to inadequate sealing or poor-quality boot materials that deteriorate prematurely, allowing water and dirt ingress.
Failed CV joint boots allow contamination leading to joint failure within 5,000-10,000 miles. A completely failed CV joint causes loss of drive to one front wheel and potential safety issues. Early boot replacement costs £150-£300 per side, but joint replacement costs £300-£600 per side including labour.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The Suzuki Vitara suffers from premature deterioration of flexible brake hoses, with MOT failure rates over 100 times the national fleet average. The rubber brake hoses that connect the rigid brake lines to the brake calipers deteriorate earlier than expected, showing signs of cracking, bulging, or external damage. This appears to affect both second and third generation models and can compromise braking safety if the hoses fail completely.
Deteriorated brake hoses can fail completely, causing partial or total brake system failure. Even minor deterioration allows air ingress, reducing braking efficiency. Brake hose replacement costs £150-£300 for all four corners including brake fluid renewal. This is a safety-critical repair that should be completed immediately.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Suzuki Vitara experiences premature wheel bearing failure, with MOT data showing failure rates over 35 times the national fleet average. Both front and rear wheel bearings are affected, typically developing excessive play that creates noise and affects handling. The issue appears to be related to inadequate sealing allowing contamination, or insufficient bearing specification for the vehicle weight and usage patterns.
Severely worn wheel bearings can seize or collapse, causing wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Early symptoms include increased road noise and poor handling. Bearing replacement costs £200-£400 per corner including labour. The vehicle should not be driven with severely worn bearings.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Suzuki Vitara common problems page.
Based on 276k real DVSA MOT tests, the Suzuki Vitara fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fixings missing or insecure at 3131x the fleet average, followed by abs fault (755x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Suzuki Vitara MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Suzuki Vitara service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Suzuki Vitara has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2020-2022 facelift models with the 1.4 Boosterjet petrol engine are the best bet, offering significantly improved reliability. The 2019 update added mild hybrid tech. Avoid 2015-2017 cars with the AMT gearbox or 1.6 diesel.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Suzuki Vitara, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Suzuki Vitara issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.