2022 Suzuki Vitara SZ5 Boostjet Mhev Agrip 1.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · KP72 ABX

A serious fluid leak from the offside rear shock absorber caused a definite MOT failure on 7 August 2026, narrowly thirteen days before the same vehicle returned and passed on 20 August 2026 with that defect no longer recorded, indicating the component was replaced in the intervening period. The offside rear tyre, however, was flagged as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge at both the failed and the subsequent pass, meaning the replacement shock absorber has not resolved an underlying tyre wear pattern and a fresh tyre will almost certainly be needed at the next service. The single failure in this short three-test DVSA history is concentrated entirely on the rear offside corner, combining a damped damper and an unevenly worn tyre, which points to a localised suspension or geometry concern rather than a general pattern of wear across the vehicle. With 52,726 miles recorded on a 2022 Suzuki Vitara, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 13,182 miles per year, which is high for the model's age and segment. Suzuki Vitara SZ5 variants in private use typically cover considerably less ground, so this vehicle has seen sustained, above-average use and the engine, clutch, transmission, brakes and suspension will have accumulated wear broadly in line with that mileage rather than the calendar age. There are no prolonged lay-up gaps visible in the recorded test sequence, with tests in consecutive years, which is consistent with regular road use and rules out the standing-still deterioration issues that can affect hybrid battery state, brake caliper seizure or tyre flat-spotting from extended inactivity. The higher mileage does mean consumables such as brake pads and discs, tyres, drive belts and the 12-volt battery are likely to be approaching or past mid-life and should be budgeted for accordingly. On a physical inspection, focus closely on the rear offside corner. Listen for a knocking or clonking noise from the offside rear over speed humps and uneven B-road surfaces, which would suggest the replacement shock absorber has not fully resolved a worn trailing arm bush, coil spring seat or mounting top hat. Inspect the new tyre's shoulder for inner or outer edge wear in the first few hundred miles, as continued uneven wear despite a fresh component is a strong indicator of rear wheel alignment or a bent trailing arm. Check the offside rear tyre pressure against the driver's door placard specification, as chronic under-inflation will reproduce exactly the edge wear pattern recorded by the DVSA. On the test drive, verify that the rear end settles evenly when pressing down on each corner and releasing, and that there is no residual damping fade or fluid seepage around the replacement damper body. Confirm there is no pulling to one side under braking or a sense of the rear stepping out on wet roundabouts, which would suggest the rear geometry has not been corrected after the suspension work. Finally, given the elevated mileage, feel for any clutch slip on full-throttle third-gear pull-away, check for vibration through the steering above 50 mph which may indicate front brake disc lipping or wheel balance issues, and confirm the stop-start and mild hybrid system operates correctly on a warm restart, since this Vitara's 48V BOOSTJET mild hybrid components add a layer of electrical complexity that the MOT history cannot assess but which is worth confirming during a longer road test.