CarCostCheck

SUZUKI VITARA (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 156 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc24 years old156 tests105k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SUZUKI brand average of 82%.

At 24 years old, 68% of SUZUKI VITARAs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 156 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,850 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars328th of 403(top 81%)
Rank among SUZUKI models280th of 310(top 90%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-5%(73% avg)
vs SUZUKI average-14%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,850

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 SUZUKI VITARA has 104,850 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 100% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 63%. The 2002 sits between the two at 68%.

SUZUKI VITARA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2021100%7222,420 mi
202095%4,23527,215 mi
201993%20,27934,769 mi
201891%19,01343,397 mi
201790%18,21952,028 mi
201689%17,56060,293 mi
201587%8,94667,238 mi
201281%4879,931 mi
201169%9679,926 mi
201081%3773,858 mi
200978%9390,408 mi
200876%13199,249 mi
200773%7986,898 mi
200671%48100,718 mi
200567%165105,427 mi
200472%153104,538 mi
200366%12297,237 mi
200268%156104,850 mi
200167%12399,320 mi
200063%19881,169 mi
199967%62987,489 mi
199871%55496,676 mi
199777%25678,489 mi
199675%33391,162 mi
199571%38887,987 mi
199473%31670,294 mi
199369%15349,039 mi
199280%13252,908 mi
199175%7259,290 mi

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About the 2002 SUZUKI VITARA

The 2002 SUZUKI VITARA is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 156 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 81% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 104,850 miles at 24 years old, SUZUKI VITARA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 SUZUKI VITARA Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 SUZUKI VITARA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SUZUKI VITARA Reliability Trend

Newer SUZUKI VITARAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 SUZUKI VITARA

At 24 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 100%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 SUZUKI VITARA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 105k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2002 SUZUKI VITARA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUZUKI VITARA(2002)68%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2004)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2004)69%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£370
RENAULT CLIO(2004)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£180
MERCEDES C(2004)72%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£380

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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