2004 Peugeot Boxer — MOT failures & pass rate
14,904 MOT tests on the 2004 Peugeot Boxer are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 5.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.5% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,488 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 39.6% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 2,004 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 1,372 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 1,342 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 1,026 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 841 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.0% | 292 |
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 | 1,488 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 903 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 782 |
| 4 | Wipers | 720 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 687 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 606 |
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 | 22.4% | 3,344 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.8% | 3,103 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 2,107 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 2,093 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.3% | 1,825 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.7% | 1,297 |
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 | 1,715 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 8,701 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,262 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 745 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 284 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 182 | 39.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,088 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 3,041 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 2,964 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 2,901 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 2,910 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Boxer
On a 2004 Boxer, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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 (9.0% 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 Peugeot Boxers pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 14,904 2004 Peugeot Boxer MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Peugeot Boxer?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2004 Boxer get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 39.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,904 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.