2004 Daewoo Tacuma — MOT failures & pass rate
335 MOT tests on the 2004 Daewoo Tacuma are in this dataset, and 66.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Tacuma comes out 5.4pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.3%) and suspension (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, prescribed areas and component mounting prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.0% in the 30-60k band and 40.3% in the 90-120k band, a 12.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.7% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2024, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.3% | 48 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 48 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 37 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 34 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 27 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 26 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 19 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.9% | 127 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 33.4% | 112 |
| 3 | Suspension | 32.8% | 110 |
| 4 | Tyres | 31.3% | 105 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 73 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 50 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 100 | 28.0% |
| 60-90k | 138 | 34.8% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 40.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 35.7% |
| 2022 | 83 | 33.7% |
| 2023 | 61 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 39 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Tacuma
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.3% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (14.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Daewoo Tacumas pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 335 2004 Daewoo Tacuma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Daewoo Tacuma?
Brakes, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2004 Tacuma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 30-60k band to 40.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 335 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.