2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.5L Petrol · L15 SEL
2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara (2.5L, petrol). First registered 16 Nov 2004. Recorded mileage 76,806 miles. MOT valid until 12 Jul 2027.
- Make & Model
- SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Stanmore (Wimbledon)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 12 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 76,806 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
L15 SEL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/07/2026
- 76,806 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
L15 SEL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara (L15 SEL) between June 2023 and July 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 09 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Windscreen (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened cut from edge greater than 2mm (7.1.2 (b))”; “Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively Both (3.4 (b) (ii))”.
L15 SEL Mileage History
- 22/06/202373,143 mi
- 21/06/202475,154 mi+2,011 mi
- 09/07/202576,455 mi+1,301 mi
- 07/07/202676,805 mi+350 mi
- 09/07/202676,806 mi+1 mi
Average of roughly 1,202 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Suzuki Suzuki Grand Vitara (Mk2/FT)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A reasonably tidy 2004 Suzuki Grand Vita
Given that this vehicle passed its MOT on 9 July 2026 only two days after failing on 7 July 2026, it is essential to obtain documentary evidence of exactly what repairs were undertaken. The three failure items — exhaust leak, weakened seatbelt webbing, and ineffective wiper — are relatively inexpensive fixes, but they must be confirmed as properly rectified rather than simply passed at re-test. Ask the seller for invoices from the garage that carried out the work, and ideally have an independent mechanic verify the exhaust, seatbelt and wiper condition before committing.
The Grand Vitara is a robust, body-on-frame 4x4 that tends to age well mechanically, but parts for a 22-year-old model can be harder to source and pricier than for mainstream hatchbacks. Check that the four-wheel-drive system engages correctly if fitted, and inspect the underbody for corrosion — a known issue for vehicles of this vintage, especially those that have seen winter use. Service history (even partial) is valuable on a car of this age, so ask to see any receipts or stamps present.
Given the very low mileage of around 3,500 miles per year on average, seals, gaskets and rubber components may have dried out from lack of use rather than worn from use. Budget for refreshing ageing consumables such as coolant hoses, brake fluid, and tyres that may be perished from age rather than tread wear alone.
The 2.5-litre petrol Grand Vitara is a thirsty engine by modern standards, typically returning around 25-28 mpg in mixed driving. With fuel prices at typical UK levels, expect to budget roughly £1,400-£1,700 per year on petrol if covering 7,000 miles annually. Road tax sits in a higher band due to the large petrol engine and pre-2006 registration, so VED will be noticeably more than a modern small SUV.
Insurance for the Grand Vitara tends to fall in group 30-35, meaning premiums for an average driver will be in the £450-£650 per year range depending on location and driving history. Parts availability is reasonable through Suzuki specialists and general motor factors, but body panels and trim pieces can be expensive due to the model's lower sales volume.
Routine servicing (oil, filters, plugs) on the 2.5 petrol is straightforward and inexpensive at around £150-£250 per service at an independent garage. The estimated annual running cost, including fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance, is approximately £1,800-£2,200.
The most recent MOT failure specifically flagged an exhaust leak at the tail pipe section, so inspect the entire exhaust system from the manifold back for corrosion, especially at joints and the rear silencer. Seatbelt webbing damage greater than 2mm from the edge is a safety-critical issue — check both front belts for fraying, cuts, or stiffening, and confirm a new or replacement belt has been fitted rather than the original being passed through. The wiper failure suggests the mechanism or blades were inadequate; verify both front wipers clear the windscreen effectively and that the wiper motor and linkage are in good order.
Beyond the MOT findings, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is known within the model aggregate data for common failures around headlamps, brake pipes, and tyres. Headlamp lenses on 20+ year old vehicles often become hazy and may fail an MOT on beam pattern or output, so check for clarity and consider budgeting for replacement units. Brake pipes are particularly susceptible to corrosion on cars of this age, especially in areas where road salt is used; inspect along the underbody and within wheel arches for any signs of rust or weeping joints.
Inspect the chassis and body for corrosion, paying particular attention to wheel arches, sills, and the rear crossmember — these are common rust hotspots on the Grand Vitara. Check the 4WD system engages smoothly if equipped, and verify the gearbox and transfer box oil levels and condition.
This grey 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara, powered by the 2.5-litre petrol engine, has accumulated just 76,806 miles across nearly 22 years of use — remarkably low mileage for its age. It passed four consecutive MOT tests between 2023 and 2026 with no defects recorded, suggesting the vehicle had been keeping in good roadworthy order. However, a failure recorded just two days before the most recent pass raises questions about whether repairs were completed properly, and buyers should verify what work was actually carried out.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara shows a 75.0% MOT pass rate across 29,405 vehicles analysed, which is broadly in line with the all-model average. The top failure reasons — headlamp, brake pipe, and tyre issues — are typical age-related concerns rather than fundamental design flaws.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
- Timing Chain Tensioner Failure and Camshaft Rattle (2.5 & 2.7 V6)Serious
The 2.5-litre (H25A) and 2.7-litre (H27A) all-aluminium 24-valve V6 engines utilize a complex multi-chain timing system with hydraulic tensioners and plastic-lined guides. Infrequent oil changes or using incorrect oil viscosity causes carbon sludge to restrict oil supply ports to the hydraulic chain tensioners. This leads to collapsed tensioners, severe chain slap against the timing cover on cold starts, guide disintegration, and potential catastrophic valve-to-piston contact if the chain jumps timing teeth.
- Front Brake Caliper Seizure and Disc WarpingModerate
A well-documented weakness on the second-generation Grand Vitara is the tendency for front brake calipers to seize, particularly if the vehicle has been subjected to farm work, deep water splashes, or periods of inactivity. The rubber slider pin dust boots degrade, allowing road grit and corrosive salt to enter the sliding channels. The resulting brake pad drag overheats the ventilated front discs, resulting in disc warping, severe steering wheel vibration under braking, and MOT test failure for braking efficiency imbalance.
- Rear Chassis Rail and Body Mounting Outrigger CorrosionSerious
Despite its rugged ladder-frame chassis construction, the steel box sections on the Grand Vitara lack adequate factory internal wax protection. Mud, silt, and moisture accumulate inside the rear section of the chassis rails above the fuel tank and around the rear spring perches and body mounting brackets. Over British winters, severe rust develops from the inside out, causing structural metal thinning, chassis perforation, and immediate failure on the annual UK MOT test.
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