2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6L Petrol · WV03 DLF
2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 142,260 miles. MOT expired on 07 Aug 2017. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Bristol
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 07 Aug 2017
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 142,260 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- 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.
WV03 DLF Key Findings
- 19 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/08/2016
- 142,260 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 8 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (13 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
WV03 DLF MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
19 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara (WV03 DLF) between March 2006 and August 2016.
The record contains 11 passes and 8 failures.
The most recent test on 08 August 2016 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 8 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (13 issues), Lighting (12 issues), Brakes (12 issues), Windscreen (6 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 34 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: “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)”; “Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)”; “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)”.
WV03 DLF Mileage History
- 10/03/200632,395 mi
- 06/03/200746,768 mi+14,373 mi
- 06/03/200746,768 mi
- 07/03/200858,617 mi+11,849 mi
- 07/03/200858,617 mi
- 27/02/200970,339 mi+11,722 mi
- 27/02/200970,339 mi
- 26/02/201081,027 mi+10,688 mi
- 26/02/201081,027 mi
- 04/03/201191,502 mi+10,475 mi
- 02/03/2012103,881 mi+12,379 mi
- 02/03/2012103,881 mi
- 17/07/2013124,779 mi+20,898 mi
- 18/07/2013124,779 mi
- 05/08/2014132,332 mi+7,553 mi
- 06/08/2014132,334 mi+2 mi
- 08/09/2015137,535 mi+5,201 mi
- 14/09/2015137,535 mi
- 08/08/2016142,260 mi+4,725 mi
Average of roughly 10,549 miles per year across 19 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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.
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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.
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