2004 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo passed 71.4% of its 742 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2004 Vaneo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.3% of all tests — 6.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 75 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Vaneo fails 32.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 29.3% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 47.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 151 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 101 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 92 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 52 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 51 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 75 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 62 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 45 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 42 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 39 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 38 |
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 | 47.2% | 350 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.7% | 265 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.5% | 204 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.6% | 197 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 119 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 86 |
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 | 93 | 32.3% |
| 30-60k | 216 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 174 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 566 | 30.2% |
| Diesel | 176 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 182 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 147 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 112 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 89 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Vaneo
On a 2004 Vaneo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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.
- Brakes (12.4% 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.
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 Mercedes-Benz Vaneos pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 742 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2004 Vaneo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 742 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.