2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,543 MOT tests, the 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara recorded a 71.7% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2004 Grand Vitara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (14.2%) and suspension (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — joints alone was recorded 1,384 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 35.2% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (30.1% vs 27.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 2,203 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 1,926 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 1,645 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.1% | 1,416 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 1,117 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 745 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,384 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 885 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 815 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 729 |
| 5 | Wipers | 677 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 658 |
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 | 34.8% | 5,408 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.9% | 4,805 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.7% | 4,468 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.2% | 3,599 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 2,988 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 2,300 |
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 | 212 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,410 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,478 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 5,260 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,894 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,230 | 35.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,086 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 4,457 | 30.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,241 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 3,595 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 3,084 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 2,524 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 2,099 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Grand Vitara
On a 2004 Grand Vitara, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (12.4% 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 (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Grand Vitaras pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 15,543 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2004 Grand Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,543 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.