2004 Daihatsu Extol — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 404 MOT tests, the 2004 Daihatsu Extol recorded a 68.6% pass rate. That is 3.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, emissions & environmental and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.4%) and emissions & environmental (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 112 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Extol fails 33.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 33.3% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.4% | 58 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 56 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.6% | 43 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 38 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 112 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 54 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 36 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 35 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 6 | Wipers | 29 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.4% | 159 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.5% | 107 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.2% | 106 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.8% | 100 |
| 5 | Steering | 13.4% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 44 |
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 | 94 | 33.0% |
| 60-90k | 131 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 98 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 94 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 76 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 63 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 63 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Extol
On a 2004 Extol, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.4% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (13.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Daihatsu Extols pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 404 2004 Daihatsu Extol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Daihatsu Extol?
Suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (13.9%).
Does the 2004 Extol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.0% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 404 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.