2004 Mitsubishi Grandis — MOT failures & pass rate
1,288 MOT tests on the 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis are in this dataset, and 67.9% of them passed. That is 2.1 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.7% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 170 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 39.4% versus 28.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 280 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 214 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 169 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.1% | 143 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 104 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.9% | 102 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 170 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 159 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 123 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 117 |
| 5 | Wipers | 85 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 70 |
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 | 40.9% | 527 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.2% | 453 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.6% | 356 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 25.6% | 330 |
| 5 | Other defects | 24.5% | 316 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.5% | 290 |
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 | 53 | 28.3% |
| 60-90k | 200 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 493 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 329 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 208 | 39.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 343 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 303 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 257 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 210 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 175 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Grandis
On a 2004 Grandis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (13.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Mitsubishi Grandiss pass their MOT?
67.9% of the 1,288 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2004 Grandis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.3% in the 30-60k band to 39.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,288 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.