2004 Mazda Tribute — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 343 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mazda Tribute, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 67.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.8% in the 120-150k group versus 16.7% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.7% | 71 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 54 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 41 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.5% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 22 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.5% | 19 |
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 | 88 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 29 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 23 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 23 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 21 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 18 |
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 | 37.3% | 128 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 95 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.2% | 90 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.1% | 86 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.2% | 76 |
| 6 | Other defects | 22.2% | 76 |
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 | 48 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 112 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 114 | 38.6% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 36.9% |
| 2022 | 71 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 60 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 49 | 36.7% |
| 2025 | 33 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Tribute
Before buying a 2004 Mazda Tribute, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 20.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (20.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.9% 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 Mazda Tributes pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 343 2004 Mazda Tribute MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mazda Tribute?
Suspension, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.7%).
Does the 2004 Tribute get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 34.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 343 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.