2004 Kia Magentis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 324 MOT tests, the 2004 Kia Magentis recorded a 71.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2004 Magentis sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (15.1%) and lighting & signalling (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 46 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.5% in the 30-60k band and 39.4% in the 90-120k band, a 16.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 32.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 49 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 42 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 31 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 46 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 16 |
| 5 | Wipers | 13 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 32.7% | 106 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 31.5% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.6% | 96 |
| 4 | Suspension | 26.9% | 87 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.0% | 68 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 51 |
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 | 98 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 134 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 39.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 85 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 53 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 42 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 32 | 34.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Magentis
On a 2004 Magentis, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.1% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
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 Kia Magentiss pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 324 2004 Kia Magentis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Magentis?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2004 Magentis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 30-60k band to 39.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 324 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.