2004 Fiat Multipla — MOT failures & pass rate
723 MOT tests on the 2004 Fiat Multipla are in this dataset, and 66.7% of them passed. That is 5.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 19.6% of tests against 15.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rbt (sp) and component mounting prescribed areas — pins and bushes alone was recorded 53 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.4% in the 30-60k band and 39.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.2% in 2021 to 30.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.6% | 142 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 111 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.0% | 101 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 69 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.3% | 60 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.9% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 53 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 44 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 42 |
| 5 | Wipers | 38 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 34 |
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 | 42.7% | 309 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 213 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.0% | 210 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 140 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 94 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 82 |
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 | 74 | 28.4% |
| 60-90k | 153 | 32.7% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 167 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 135 | 39.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 566 | 34.1% |
| Petrol | 157 | 30.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 192 | 35.4% |
| 2023 | 117 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 83 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 65 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Multipla
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (19.6% 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 (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
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 Multiplas pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 723 2004 Fiat Multipla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Fiat Multipla?
Suspension, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.3%).
Does the 2004 Multipla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.4% in the 30-60k band to 39.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 723 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.