2004 Renault Modus — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,437 MOT tests, the 2004 Renault Modus recorded a 66.6% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.1% of the time, so this is 4.2pp worse 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 22.4% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 609 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.6% in the 0-30k band and 39.9% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.5pp more often than petrol ones (35.3% vs 32.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 1,220 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 874 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 707 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 322 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.2% | 281 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 227 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 609 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 558 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 490 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 442 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 305 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 284 |
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 | 41.1% | 2,237 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.7% | 1,669 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.0% | 1,359 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 1,097 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 926 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.4% | 674 |
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 | 168 | 28.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,128 | 29.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,184 | 33.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,294 | 35.0% |
| 120-150k | 496 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 138 | 39.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,250 | 32.8% |
| Diesel | 1,187 | 35.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,738 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 1,305 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 1,060 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 767 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 567 | 33.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Modus
On a 2004 Modus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (13.0% 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 Moduss pass their MOT?
66.6% of the 5,437 2004 Renault Modus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Modus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2004 Modus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.6% in the 0-30k band to 39.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,437 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.