Suzuki Vitara (2004)
2004 Suzuki Vitara
CarHunch analysed 404 real MOT records for the 2004 Suzuki Vitara.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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Moderate sample. 404 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
The 2004 Suzuki Vitara's 79.3% first-time pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly typical reliability for its age, though the 28.5% of vehicles that have ever recorded a dangerous defect is a genuine concern—nearly a third above the acceptable threshold. This cohort carries an average of 3.4 failures and 19.8 advisories per test, pointing to gradual wear and tear rather than catastrophic problems, which is expected from a vehicle now 20 years old.
At 63,000 miles median mileage, these Vitaras show reasonable use for their age—not excessively thrashed or garage queens. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, steering, and brake components, as these older SUVs accumulate advisory items steadily and the higher dangerous-defect rate warrants particular scrutiny.
The 2004 Suzuki Vitara has a decent first-time pass rate (79.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 404 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.
What tends to go wrong
Across 404 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
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 404 Suzuki Vitara cars.
Before you buy a 2004 Suzuki Vitara
Based on MOT data from 404 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
28.5% 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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (76%) | 309 | 79.6% | 3.49 |
| Diesel (23%) | 92 | 78.9% | 3.1 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 107,005 Suzuki Vitara vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Suzuki Vitara 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.
Half of all 2004 Suzuki Vitara vehicles fall between 47,149 and 76,960 miles.
2004 Suzuki Vitara — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2004 Suzuki Vitaras are still active.
Numbers are declining — 68 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
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Compare with another model
See how the 2004 Suzuki Vitara stacks up against a rival.