Suzuki Vitara (1994)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 316 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,328

£194/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2,328/year to run. 9 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Suzuki Vitara

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1590cc32 years old316 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,328

Per month£194/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Suzuki brand average of 82%.

73% of MOT tests on Suzuki Vitaras from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 316 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 70,294 miles.

Got a Suzuki Vitara you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 models141st of 204(bottom half)

Rank among Suzuki models214th of 305(bottom half)

vs average of all models-9%(82% avg)

vs 1994 models average-3%(76% avg)

vs Suzuki average-9%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,294

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1994 Suzuki Vitara had 70,294 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Suzuki Vitara?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1994 scores 73%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Suzuki Vitara by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	100%	72	22,420 mi
2020	95%	4,235	27,215 mi
2019	93%	20,279	34,769 mi
2018	91%	19,013	43,397 mi
2017	90%	18,219	52,028 mi
2016	89%	17,560	60,293 mi
2015	87%	8,946	67,238 mi
2012	81%	48	79,931 mi
2011	69%	96	79,926 mi
2010	81%	37	73,858 mi
2009	78%	93	90,408 mi
2008	76%	131	99,249 mi
2007	73%	79	86,898 mi
2006	71%	48	100,718 mi
2005	67%	165	105,427 mi
2004	72%	153	104,538 mi
2003	66%	122	97,237 mi
2002	68%	156	104,850 mi
2001	67%	123	99,320 mi
2000	63%	198	81,169 mi
1999	67%	629	87,489 mi
1998	71%	554	96,676 mi
1997	77%	256	78,489 mi
1996	75%	333	91,162 mi
1995	71%	388	87,987 mi
1994	73%	316	70,294 mi
1993	69%	153	49,039 mi
1992	80%	132	52,908 mi
1991	75%	72	59,290 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1996 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

76%

+3%

BMW 3 Series

1996 · 1896cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+9%

Volkswagen Golf

1996 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

+1%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

+1%

Check a Specific Suzuki Vitara

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1994 Suzuki Vitara

The 1994 Suzuki Vitara is a small family car. Our records list a 1590cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 316 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 70,294 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Suzuki Vitara owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1994 Suzuki Vitara Fuel Costs

The 1590cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1994 Suzuki Vitara?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,328 (£194/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Suzuki Vitara Reliability Trend

Newer Suzuki Vitaras pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1994 Suzuki Vitara

At 32 years old, the Suzuki Vitara is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1994 Suzuki Vitara stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Suzuki Vitara(1994)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328
Mazda MX-5(1996)	76%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£233
BMW 3 Series(1996)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£83
Volkswagen Golf(1996)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£233
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£145

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1994 Suzuki Vitara

Is the 1994 Suzuki Vitara reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of MOT tests on 1994 Suzuki Vitaras ended in a pass, from 316 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1994 Suzuki Vitara cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,328 a year (£194 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Suzuki Vitara?

73% of 316 MOT tests on the 1994 Suzuki Vitara ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 141st of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom half).

Which year Suzuki Vitara has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Suzuki Vitara has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 2000 the lowest at 63%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1994 Suzuki Vitara?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Suzuki Vitara is 70,294 miles, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.