2004 SEAT Cordoba — MOT failures & pass rate
303 MOT tests on the 2004 SEAT Cordoba are in this dataset, and 70.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Cordoba comes out 2.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.1% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.3% versus 22.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.3% in 2021 to 19.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 58 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 30 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 22 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 16 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Joints | 22 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 15 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 14 |
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 | 31.4% | 95 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.7% | 93 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 25.4% | 77 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.1% | 76 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.2% | 52 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 43 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 36 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 75 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 73 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 214 | 28.5% |
| Petrol | 89 | 33.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 72 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 54 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 44 | 34.1% |
| 2025 | 31 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cordoba
On a 2004 Cordoba, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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 (12.2% 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 SEAT Cordobas pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 303 2004 SEAT Cordoba MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 SEAT Cordoba?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2004 Cordoba get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 303 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.