Used car guide

2004 Suzuki Wagon-R+: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Suzuki Wagon-R+s, from 1,312 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,312MOT tests in 2025

57%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)

3,500typical miles a year

1.6×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Suzuki Wagon-R+s than on all cars registered in 2004.

Rigid brake pipes1.6× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
28.2% All 2004 cars
17.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, 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.
Steering rack inner joints3.1× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
11.6% 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.
Suspension arm1.9× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
7.9% All 2004 cars
4.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Wheels2.5× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
3.8% All 2004 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Anti-lock braking system2.3× usual

Suzuki Wagon-R+
3% All 2004 cars
1.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.3% 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: 2.3% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars. Engine oil leaks: 7.2% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars.

By area

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

Suspension

47% 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

40% 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

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.
Lights and electrics

31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

13% 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.
Driveshafts and joints

12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2005	1,043	Suspension 47%
2003	1,216	Suspension 48%
2002	918	Brakes 51%
2001	608	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 Wagon-R+s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score