2004 Suzuki Wagon=R= — MOT failures & pass rate
11,570 MOT tests on the 2004 Suzuki Wagon=R= are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (29.5% fail rate), the 2004 Wagon=R= comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.9%) and lighting & signalling (10.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, wipers and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 853 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 12.2-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.9% | 1,375 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 1,227 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,031 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 879 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 695 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 653 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 853 |
| 2 | Wipers | 535 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 518 |
| 4 | Joints | 505 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 503 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 432 |
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 | 36.7% | 4,245 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.6% | 3,658 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 3,230 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 2,266 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.5% | 2,260 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 817 |
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 | 541 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,357 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,411 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,438 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 680 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,915 | 26.0% |
| 2022 | 2,602 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 2,304 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 2,031 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 1,718 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Wagon=R=
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.9% 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.
- Brakes (8.9% 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.
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 Wagon=R=s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 11,570 2004 Suzuki Wagon=R= MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Suzuki Wagon=R=?
Suspension, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.6%).
Does the 2004 Wagon=R= get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,570 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.