2004 Suzuki Ignis 1.5L Petrol · KD04 GXG

The 2004 Suzuki Ignis presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 31 March 2025 at 49,895 miles with zero defects recorded. That result marks a significant turnaround from the 2023 failure, where the tester flagged a non-functioning nearside stop lamp, ineffective front wiper blades, an illegible front registration plate, a nearside rear brake pad worn below 1.5mm, an excessively binding nearside rear service brake, and rear brake imbalance across axle two. The fact that all those defects were rectified before the March 2023 pass and have not recurred through two subsequent clean tests suggests the previous owner addressed the issues properly rather than applying a temporary fix. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. Between the March 2023 test at 42,152 miles and the April 2024 test at 44,034 miles, the car covered just 1,882 miles in over a year. The April 2024 test itself is notable because the car failed that morning on an insecure front and rear exhaust system, then passed the same day at the same mileage once the defect was rectified. From April 2024 to March 2025, the odometer moved only 5,861 miles, confirming the car has been driven sparingly. At roughly 2,268 miles per year over its 22-year life, this is well below the UK average of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles annually. Such low mileage can preserve mechanical components but also raises the question of prolonged standing, which can cause perished rubber bushes, seized brake calipers, and fuel system issues. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the rear braking system, given the 2023 failure flagged both a worn pad and a binding caliper on the nearside rear. Even though the car has passed cleanly since, a binding caliper can intermittently seize and cause uneven disc wear, so checking for heat spots on the rear discs and confirming even pad thickness on both sides is worthwhile. The insecure exhaust failure in April 2024 also warrants attention. A buyer should visually inspect the front and rear exhaust mounting points for corrosion or cracked brackets, particularly if the car has spent time stationary on damp ground. With a 22-year-old exhaust system, internal corrosion may not be visible externally, so listening for exhaust gas leaks at the manifold joints during a cold start is advisable. Beyond the flagged items, the low annual mileage means rubber components deserve scrutiny. Suspension bushes, track rod ends, and anti-roll bar links on a car of this age can deteriorate from age and ozone exposure rather than from wear alone. A thorough check of the underside for structural corrosion is essential, as the Ignis is a compact vehicle with relatively thin floor panelling. The clean MOT record is encouraging, but it only confirms the car met minimum standards on test days. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic remains the most reliable way to assess the true mechanical condition of a vehicle that has spent much of its life covering very few miles.