Suzuki Samurai Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Suzuki Samurai car check
Is the Suzuki Samurai reliable? We analysed 735 real MOT tests across 151 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Suzuki Samurai? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Suzuki Samurai is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Suzuki Samurai.
Suzuki Samurai Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Suzuki Samurai. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Suzuki Samurai MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Suzuki Samurai to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Suzuki Samurai Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Suzuki Samurai fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Suzuki Samurai Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Suzuki Samurai owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Suzuki Samurai MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Suzuki Samurai year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 123 | 67.5% | 68,924 | 77,912 | 89,030 |
| 1992 | 304 | 69.7% | 54,922 | 68,105 | 80,910 |
| 1991 | 82 | 69.5% | 77,605 | 97,318 | 103,016 |
How Long Does a Suzuki Samurai Last?
Based on 151 Suzuki Samurai vehicles on UK roads.
Suzuki Samurai Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Suzuki Samurai MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Suzuki Samurai
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.7% MOT pass rate from 304 tests
67.5% MOT pass rate from 123 tests
The best year to buy a used Suzuki Samurai is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.7% across 304 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Suzuki Samurai Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Samurai THIS CAR | 67.5% | 735 | 71,694 mi | 35 yrs |
| Suzuki Swift | 76.1% | 2,247,517 | 51,601 mi | 31 yrs |
| Suzuki Alto | 74% | 1,154,186 | 41,167 mi | 28 yrs |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 76.2% | 1,025,634 | 67,542 mi | 28 yrs |
| Porsche 914 | 76.9% | 1,470 | 47,887 mi | 56 yrs |
Compared to the Suzuki Swift (76.1% pass rate) and the Suzuki Alto (74.0% pass rate), the Suzuki Samurai trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Suzuki Samurai you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Suzuki SamuraiShould you buy a used Suzuki Samurai?
The Suzuki Samurai has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.5% across 735 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Suzuki Samurai are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (69 recorded failures), body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (65), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (44). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Suzuki Samurai owner drives around 1,412 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Suzuki Samurai models stay on UK roads for around 35 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.