Used car guide

2004 Suzuki Alto: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Suzuki Altos, from 645 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

645MOT tests in 2025

50%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)

2,500typical miles a year

2.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Suzuki Altos than on all cars registered in 2004.

Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual

Suzuki Alto
19.1% All 2004 cars
6.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Rigid brake pipes1.7× usual

Suzuki Alto
29.3% All 2004 cars
17.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Braking performance2.3× usual

Suzuki Alto
15.7% All 2004 cars
6.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Coil springs1.8× usual

Suzuki Alto
19.7% All 2004 cars
10.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 2.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Brakes pulling to one side5.2× usual

Suzuki Alto
9.3% All 2004 cars
1.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.6% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars. Headlight aim: 3.1% here, against 6.6% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Suzuki Alto MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

56% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

51% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

33% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

32% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Driveshafts and joints

19% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Oil and fluid leaks

18% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Suzuki Alto?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	1,792	Suspension 32%
2014	12,508	Suspension 34%
2013	11,388	Suspension 40%
2012	4,433	Suspension 42%
2011	4,250	Brakes 43%
2010	4,114	Suspension 44%
2009	4,728	Suspension 46%
2006	510	Brakes 56%
2005	792	Brakes 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Suzuki Altos registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score