2004 Fiat Idea — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Fiat Idea passed 68.0% of its 1,212 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Idea comes out 4.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.9%) and suspension (13.7%) 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, headlamp aim and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.8% in the 0-30k band and 32.9% in the 120-150k band, a 14.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.5% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 181 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 166 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 160 |
| 4 | Tyres | 8.1% | 98 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 93 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.4% | 90 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 80 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 74 |
| 4 | Joints | 74 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 58 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 56 |
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 | 36.7% | 445 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.4% | 405 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.3% | 294 |
| 4 | Brakes | 21.7% | 263 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 235 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 176 |
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 | 32 | 18.8% |
| 30-60k | 245 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 487 | 33.5% |
| 90-120k | 353 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 951 | 31.6% |
| Diesel | 261 | 33.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 458 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 316 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 223 | 34.1% |
| 2024 | 137 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 78 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Idea
On a 2004 Idea, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.2% 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 Fiat Ideas pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 1,212 2004 Fiat Idea MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Idea?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2004 Idea get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,212 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.