2016 Suzuki Vitara MOT pass rate: 87.4% (32,579 tests)
Is the 2016 Vitara getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 89.0% +5.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 87.3% +6.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 85.9% +6.4 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 Vitara
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2,391 | 29.5% |
| 2 | Brakes | 2,155 | 26.6% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,426 | 17.6% |
| 4 | Suspension | 807 | 10.0% |
| 5 | Visibility | 639 | 7.9% |
| 6 | Steering | 184 | 2.3% |
All Vitara years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16,508 | 86.5% | +7.8 pts | 63,306 |
| 2016 (this page) | 32,579 | 87.4% | +6.1 pts | 56,488 |
| 2017 | 33,808 | 88.5% | +4.5 pts | 48,328 |
| 2018 | 35,668 | 90.1% | +3.7 pts | 40,510 |
| 2019 | 37,703 | 92.8% | +4.4 pts | 32,206 |
| 2020 | 7,712 | 94.7% | +4.8 pts | 24,265 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Suzuki Vitara years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2016 Suzuki Vitara reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 87.4% of their MOT tests (32,579 tests, 2023–2025), +6.1 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 56,488 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 Vitara?
The median tested example shows 56,488 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2016 Vitara?
In this cohort petrols pass 88.3% of tests against 83.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.