2004 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
6,996 MOT tests on the 2004 Suzuki Carry are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, ball joint and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,000 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.0% versus 18.1%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.1% | 990 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 958 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 669 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 608 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.1% | 565 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 449 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,000 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 434 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 404 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 380 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 378 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 358 |
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 | 32.2% | 2,251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.8% | 1,878 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 1,742 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.0% | 1,332 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.0% | 979 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 813 |
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 | 204 | 18.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,338 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,522 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,803 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 777 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 350 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,687 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 1,544 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 1,381 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 1,292 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 1,092 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Carry
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Carrys pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 6,996 2004 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Suzuki Carry?
Suspension, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.7%).
Does the 2004 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,996 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.