Used car guide

2004 Suzuki Carry: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Suzuki Carrys, from 853 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

853MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    14% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Body structure rust or damage3× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    10.3% All 2004 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    8.8% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.3× usual
    Suzuki Carry
    9% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.6% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Coil springs: 2.8% here, against 10.9% of all 2004 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    36% 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
    35% 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
    30% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Suzuki Carry?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005875Suspension 39%
2003583Suspension 41%

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