Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4?

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 Sv 650 Sk4?

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 Sv 650 Sk4?

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.

Is the 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 147 vehicles, the 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4?

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 Sv 650 Sk4 (2004)

147 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4

CarHunch analysed 147 real MOT records for the 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 Suzuki SV 650 SK4 is a genuinely difficult MOT proposition—only 42.5% pass first time, against the UK average of 80%, and fewer than 4 in 10 petrol examples make it through without a defect. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 5.4%, so you're not looking at a safety minefield, but expect regular remedial work.

These bikes are covering surprisingly low mileage (median 13,068 miles for a 20-year-old machine), which suggests many have spent time in storage—a scenario that typically breeds MOT failures through seized components and corrosion rather than wear. With an average of 0.41 failures and 1.4 advisories per test, you're managing a steady trickle of small repairs. If you're considering one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist mechanic and assume you'll need at least one meaningful repair in the first year of ownership.

We have limited data for the 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 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

87.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

5.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.41

Over 3.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

13k

Middle half: 9k–18k

For context

These stats describe 147 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 147 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4

Based on MOT data from 147 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 5.4% 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 (94%)	138	87.4%	0.4

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 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.

13,068

typical

9,297

low mileage

17,632

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 vehicles fall between 9,297 and 17,632 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,297 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.

✓ 9,297–17,632 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4s sit.

⚠ Over 23,803 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 Sv 650 Sk4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4s are still active.

12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 — 60% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
* 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

3.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.41

Avg failures per vehicle

1.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Suzuki Sv 650 Sk4 stacks up against a rival.

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