2004 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,996 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Suzuki Carry, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 71.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.0% in the 150k+ group versus 18.1% in the 0-30k group.
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
Before buying a 2004 Suzuki Carry, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.1% of tests for this year.
- 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 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.