2004 Renault Laguna — MOT failures & pass rate
3,821 MOT tests on the 2004 Renault Laguna are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), the 2004 Laguna comes out 3.2pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.1%) and lighting & signalling (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, track rod end and coil spring — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 259 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.4% versus 19.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.8% of the time against 31.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.1% | 653 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 610 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 472 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.2% | 276 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 240 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 225 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 259 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 256 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 237 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 227 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 187 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 186 |
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 | 38.8% | 1,482 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.1% | 1,455 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.9% | 1,067 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.2% | 773 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 648 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.1% | 578 |
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 | 41 | 19.5% |
| 30-60k | 472 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,123 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,085 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 663 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 434 | 33.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,203 | 30.8% |
| Diesel | 1,618 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,316 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 962 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 702 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 479 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 362 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Laguna
On a 2004 Laguna, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.1% 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 (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 Renault Lagunas pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 3,821 2004 Renault Laguna MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Laguna?
Suspension, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.0%).
Does the 2004 Laguna get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.5% in the 0-30k band to 33.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,821 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.