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SUZUKI VITARA (2012)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 48 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2300cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2300cc14 years old48 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2300cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2300cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 14 years old, 81% of SUZUKI VITARAs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 48 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,931 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars387th of 685(top 56%)
Rank among SUZUKI models159th of 310(top 51%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average+3%(78% avg)
vs SUZUKI average-1%(82% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,931

Average miles

vs

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 SUZUKI VITARA has 79,931 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-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 2012 sits between the two at 81%.

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 2012 SUZUKI VITARA

The 2012 SUZUKI VITARA is a large car with a 2300cc diesel engine. 48 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 79,931 miles at 14 years old, SUZUKI VITARA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 SUZUKI VITARA Fuel Costs

The 2300cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 SUZUKI VITARA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2012 SUZUKI VITARA

At 14 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%. Note: with only 48 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 SUZUKI VITARA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 2012 SUZUKI VITARA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SUZUKI VITARA(2012)81%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2045
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2012)80%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1577-£468
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)74%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£318
BMW 3 SERIES(2013)85%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1577-£468
FORD TRANSIT(2014)77%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5

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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