2004 Renault Ll29 100 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 466 MOT tests, the 2004 Renault Ll29 100 recorded a 66.3% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Ll29 100 comes out 6.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (23.2%) and suspension (22.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and washers — ball joint alone was recorded 74 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Ll29 100 fails 30.8% of the time in the 90-120k band and 33.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.2% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.1% | 103 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 11.8% | 55 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.1% | 47 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 33 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 74 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 44 |
| 3 | Washers | 41 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 38 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
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 | 35.0% | 163 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.1% | 145 |
| 3 | Other defects | 26.2% | 122 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.0% | 121 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 24.7% | 115 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 87 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 78 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 267 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 128 | 35.2% |
| 2022 | 116 | 34.5% |
| 2023 | 93 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 71 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 58 | 36.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Ll29 100
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (22.1% 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.
- Brakes (17.0% 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 Renault Ll29 100s pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 466 2004 Renault Ll29 100 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Ll29 100?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.2% of tests, followed by suspension (22.1%).
Does the 2004 Ll29 100 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 90-120k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 466 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.