2004 Fiat Ducato — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Fiat Ducato passed 75.8% of its 24,720 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (29.9% fail rate), the 2004 Ducato comes out 5.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests against 10.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,238 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.2-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 22.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 3,336 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 2,574 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 2,050 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 1,790 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 1,301 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.9% | 466 |
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 | 2,238 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 1,609 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,071 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,051 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 1,013 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 836 |
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 | 22.0% | 5,430 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.7% | 4,870 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 3,627 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 3,561 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.1% | 2,981 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.3% | 2,048 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,831 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 14,032 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,627 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,328 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 538 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 343 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,631 | 24.1% |
| Petrol | 89 | 37.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,214 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 5,017 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 4,955 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 4,806 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 4,728 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Ducato
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 (8.3% 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.
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 Fiat Ducatos pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 24,720 2004 Fiat Ducato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Ducato?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 2004 Ducato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,720 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.