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MOT fail rates by first-use year

2004 Suzuki Ignis MOT fail rate and common faults

How Suzuki Ignis cars first used in 2004 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 5,218 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.

MOT data updated

At 21 years, tested in 2025

MOT fail rate at age 21 (n=1,014)41.6%
All cars at 21 years (n=1,321,417)42.1%
Difference−0.4 pts
MOT tests of 2004 cars, 2022 to 20255,218

What stands out

  • In 2025, at 21 years old, Suzuki Ignis cars first used in 2004 failed 41.6% of MOTs (1,014 tests), about the same as the 42.1% for all cars that age.
  • From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 18 to 21 years old, the fail rate moved from 41.0% to 41.6%.
  • The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Suzuki Ignis at 21 years, is suspension ball joint worn, at 5.5 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.2).

MOT fail rate by test year

Suzuki Ignis cars first used in 2004: share of MOT tests that failed, by test year, against all cars of the same age. Years with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
Test yearAgeMOT fail rateTests (n)All carsDifference
202218 years41.0%1,64243.3%−2.2 pts
202319 years40.9%1,38943.2%−2.3 pts
202420 years44.4%1,17342.8%+1.7 pts
202521 years41.6%1,01442.1%−0.4 pts

Most common faults at 21 years

These figures cover all Suzuki Ignis MOTs (first used before 2016) at 21 years: cars first used 2001 to 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,191). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.

MOT fail items

Fail itemPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Brake light not working Wear5.73.9
Suspension ball joint worn5.52.2
Service brake imbalance: across an axle4.61.2
Wipers not clearing screen Wear4.23.5
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.02.5
Side/position light not working Wear3.84.9
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.43.2
Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear2.92.4
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear2.93.7
Service brake performance: excessively binding2.81.5

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,191). A test with two items counts once for each.

Advisories

AdvisoryPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material25.115.9
Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)15.63.5
Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear13.814.8
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear13.410.4
Coil spring: corroded12.48.1
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear10.26.5
Exhaust system: mounting defective8.51.7
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.210.4
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive6.214.8
Headlamp: lens slightly defective Wear6.13.8

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,191). A test with two items counts once for each.

Fuel type at 21 years

These figures cover all Suzuki Ignis MOTs (first used before 2016) at 21 years: cars first used 2001 to 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,191). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

FuelShare of testsMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars, same fuelMedian mileage
Petrol100.0%42.8%3,18941.7%85,234 miles

Car tax rules for a 2004 car

  • Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.

These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check

ULEZ and clean air zones

  • Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2004 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
  • The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.

The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker

Other years of the Suzuki Ignis

Other Suzuki models first used in 2004

ModelAge at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
Suzuki Grand Vitara (2004)21 years in 202540.0%1,64942.1%
Suzuki Jimny (2004)21 years in 202539.5%1,87542.1%
Suzuki Wagon R+ (2004)21 years in 202542.2%1,32142.1%
Suzuki Alto (2004)19 years in 202352.5%1,13143.2%

More on the Suzuki Ignis

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.

These figures describe 2004 Suzuki Ignis cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.

See an example Buying Report All car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources

Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.