2004 Renault Master — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,075 MOT tests, the 2004 Renault Master recorded a 69.1% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.9%, so the 2004 Master sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.0%) and brakes (17.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 414 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 773 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.0% | 694 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.6% | 474 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 312 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 269 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 225 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 414 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 257 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 243 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 240 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 218 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 203 |
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 | 35.9% | 1,465 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 1,129 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 794 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.2% | 742 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 680 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.6% | 635 |
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 | 54 | 22.2% |
| 30-60k | 312 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 501 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 696 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 828 | 35.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,658 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 930 | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 889 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 822 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 761 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 673 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Master
On a 2004 Master, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
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 Masters pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 4,075 2004 Renault Master MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Master?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by brakes (17.0%).
Does the 2004 Master get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,075 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.