2004 Suzuki Alto — MOT failures & pass rate
7,982 MOT tests on the 2004 Suzuki Alto are in this dataset, and 67.4% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 2004 Alto comes out 3.1pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.6%) and lighting & signalling (15.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, joints and rigid brake pipes — service brake performance alone was recorded 813 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.8% in the 0-30k band and 32.6% in the 120-150k band, a 6.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.6% | 1,241 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 1,205 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.7% | 1,092 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 1,066 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 714 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 532 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 813 |
| 2 | Joints | 801 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 561 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 561 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 528 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 526 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.6% | 3,400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.9% | 3,262 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 2,163 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 1,786 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 1,178 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 1,033 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,174 | 25.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,436 | 32.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,415 | 34.9% |
| 90-120k | 800 | 36.6% |
| 120-150k | 129 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,481 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 1,930 | 33.0% |
| 2023 | 1,526 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 1,190 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 855 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Alto
On a 2004 Alto, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Suzuki Altos pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 7,982 2004 Suzuki Alto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Suzuki Alto?
Brakes, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.1%).
Does the 2004 Alto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,982 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.