2004 Suzuki Vitara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 726 MOT tests, the 2004 Suzuki Vitara recorded a 70.3% pass rate. Against small SUVs of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2004 Vitara comes out 1.6pp worse. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.8% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 78 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 84 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 71 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 63 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.9% | 50 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 78 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 44 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 41 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 36 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 36 |
| 6 | Wipers | 34 |
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 | 34.3% | 249 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.3% | 242 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.7% | 201 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.4% | 163 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 134 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 102 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 72 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 191 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 233 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 183 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 605 | 30.1% |
| Diesel | 121 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 200 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 168 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 149 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 117 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 92 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Vitara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 15.8% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.8% 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 (11.6% 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 (9.8% 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 Vitaras pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 726 2004 Suzuki Vitara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Suzuki Vitara?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2004 Vitara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 726 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.