Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Suzuki Ignis?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Suzuki Ignis?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Suzuki Ignis?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 Suzuki Ignis vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Suzuki Ignis reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,854 vehicles, the 2004 Suzuki Ignis has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Suzuki Ignis?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Suzuki Ignis are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (71.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (65.8% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (44.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Suzuki Ignis?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Suzuki Ignis (2004)

4,854 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75% first-time pass rate

2004 Suzuki Ignis

CarHunch analysed 4,854 real MOT records for the 2004 Suzuki Ignis. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Suzuki Ignis trails the UK average by 5 percentage points, with a 75% first-time pass rate, and nearly two in five owners have encountered a dangerous defect at some point—a meaningful concern for a vehicle now nearly 20 years old. That 35.7% dangerous defect rate puts this model firmly in the higher-risk bracket for older buyers.

At an average mileage of 60,578 miles for a 20-year-old car, these Ignis examples are relatively well-preserved, but they're racking up an average of 4.5 failures and 22.7 advisories when tested, suggesting corrosion, wear items, and minor electrical issues are common. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection to catch structural rust and suspension wear before commitment.

The 2004 Suzuki Ignis has a decent first-time pass rate (75%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.52

Over 17.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

60k

Middle half: 44k–75k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,854 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,854 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 71.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 44.6%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 24.5%

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,854 Suzuki Ignis cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Suzuki Ignis

Based on MOT data from 4,854 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	4,851	75%	4.52

Colour Breakdown

Based on 40,656 Suzuki Ignis vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 22.3%

9,046

Red 21.1%

8,574

Silver 17.4%

7,076

Black 10.7%

4,365

White 9.7%

3,925

Orange 5.5%

2,238

Green 5.2%

2,129

Yellow 4.6%

1,856

Grey 2.9%

1,188

Gold 0.6%

250

Turquoise 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Suzuki Ignis vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

59,889

typical

44,473

low mileage

74,516

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Suzuki Ignis vehicles fall between 44,473 and 74,516 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 44,473 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 44,473–74,516 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Suzuki Igniss sit.

⚠ Over 100,596 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Suzuki Ignis — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2004 Suzuki Igniss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 952 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

17.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.52

Avg failures per vehicle

22.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Suzuki Ignis: All Ignis years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

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See how the 2004 Suzuki Ignis stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing