2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0L Petrol · BN03 AUY
2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara (2.0L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 149,399 miles. MOT expired on 26 Jan 2026.
- Make & Model
- SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Birmingham
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 26 Jan 2026
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (14 Nov 2025)
- Recorded Mileage
- 149,399 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
BN03 AUY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 27/01/2025
- 149,399 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 13 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (13 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
BN03 AUY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara (BN03 AUY) between December 2022 and January 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 27 January 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (13 issues), Suspension (13 issues), Bodywork (9 issues), Tyres (8 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (7 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 45 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner arch - joint with in”; “Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))”.
BN03 AUY Mileage History
- 19/12/2022147,388 mi
- 22/01/2024148,885 mi+1,497 mi
- 24/01/2024148,927 mi+42 mi
- 20/01/2025149,390 mi+463 mi
- 27/01/2025149,399 mi+9 mi
Average of roughly 954 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for Suzuki Suzuki Grand Vitara (Mk2/FT)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution. This vehicle h
Prioritise a professional underside inspection. The January 2025 MOT failure for 'excessively corroded' anti-roll bar mounts and seat belt anchorage areas is a critical warning sign of structural rust. You should verify if these were repaired with professional welding or merely patched, as corrosion in these 'prescribed areas' is a recurring theme in this vehicle's history.
Check the service records for evidence of engine work following the January 2024 MOT failure, where the vehicle failed on multiple emissions counts, including black smoke and high carbon monoxide. Additionally, negotiate the price based on the inevitable need to replace corroded brake pipes and hoses, which have appeared as advisories in every test since 2022.
The 1995cc petrol engine is relatively large for a small SUV, leading to higher fuel consumption compared to modern equivalents. Expect higher annual road tax based on its 2003 registration and carbon emissions, and insurance costs typical for a 2.0L petrol vehicle of this age.
Maintenance costs are likely to be above average for this model. The recurring MOT advisories for corrosion, worn shock absorber bushes, and oil leaks suggest that keeping the vehicle roadworthy will require frequent expenditure on chassis repairs and rubber components. Estimated annual running costs are likely to be high due to the age and condition of the chassis.
The chassis is the primary area of concern. Specifically inspect the offside front suspension component mountings and the inner arch joints with the inner sills, as these have previously failed for excessive corrosion. Check the entire length of the brake pipes and the ferrules on the brake hoses, as these have been flagged as corroded across multiple years of testing.
Look for signs of active oil leaks, which were noted in the 2022 and 2024 MOT tests. Finally, inspect the headlamp lenses for defects and the windscreen for damage, both of which are recurring advisories. Ensure the tyres are not perishing or worn close to the legal limit, as this has been a frequent issue for this specific car.
This silver 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara has covered 149,399 miles and shows a pattern of structural deterioration. MOT records indicate failures related to excessively corroded suspension mountings and seat belt anchorages in early 2025, alongside a history of emissions failures and oil leaks. While it currently holds a pass, the volume of advisories regarding the chassis and brake system is substantial.
The Grand Vitara has an average MOT pass rate of 74.8%, with common failure points including brake pipes and headlamps, both of which are evident in this vehicle's history.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (BN03 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as BN03AUY.
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE
NISSAN
QASHQAI
SUZUKI
SPLASH
AUDI
Q2
AUDI
A3
AUDI
A5
VAUXHALL
CORSA
PEUGEOT
508 GT S/S PHEV AUTO
SUZUKI
GRAND VITARA
SUZUKI
GRAND VITARA
SUZUKI
WAGON-R+
VOLVO
V40
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Timing Chain Tensioner Failure and Camshaft Rattle (2.5 & 2.7 V6)Serious
The 2.5-litre (H25A) and 2.7-litre (H27A) all-aluminium 24-valve V6 engines utilize a complex multi-chain timing system with hydraulic tensioners and plastic-lined guides. Infrequent oil changes or using incorrect oil viscosity causes carbon sludge to restrict oil supply ports to the hydraulic chain tensioners. This leads to collapsed tensioners, severe chain slap against the timing cover on cold starts, guide disintegration, and potential catastrophic valve-to-piston contact if the chain jumps timing teeth.
- Front Brake Caliper Seizure and Disc WarpingModerate
A well-documented weakness on the second-generation Grand Vitara is the tendency for front brake calipers to seize, particularly if the vehicle has been subjected to farm work, deep water splashes, or periods of inactivity. The rubber slider pin dust boots degrade, allowing road grit and corrosive salt to enter the sliding channels. The resulting brake pad drag overheats the ventilated front discs, resulting in disc warping, severe steering wheel vibration under braking, and MOT test failure for braking efficiency imbalance.
- Rear Chassis Rail and Body Mounting Outrigger CorrosionSerious
Despite its rugged ladder-frame chassis construction, the steel box sections on the Grand Vitara lack adequate factory internal wax protection. Mud, silt, and moisture accumulate inside the rear section of the chassis rails above the fuel tank and around the rear spring perches and body mounting brackets. Over British winters, severe rust develops from the inside out, causing structural metal thinning, chassis perforation, and immediate failure on the annual UK MOT test.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.