Used car guide

2004 Suzuki Liana: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Suzuki Lianas, from 205 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 205 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

205MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

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

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Suzuki Liana
    29.8% All 2004 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 4.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Sub-frame2.8× usual
    Suzuki Liana
    17.6% All 2004 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Suzuki Liana
    17.1% 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% 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
    15% 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 Liana?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007146Suspension 55%
2006151Suspension 60%
2005213Suspension 55%

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