2004 Toyota Alphard- — MOT failures & pass rate
4,212 MOT tests on the 2004 Toyota Alphard- are in this dataset, and 80.1% of them passed. That is 7.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests against 7.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 245 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 25.6% in the 150k+ band, a 17.5-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 17.9% fail against 20.2% for hybrid, a 2.3-point gap across 4,207 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 535 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 306 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.0% | 212 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 160 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.1% | 129 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 110 |
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 | 245 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 200 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 152 |
| 4 | Wipers | 148 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 135 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 134 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.4% | 1,364 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.3% | 980 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.8% | 708 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 638 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 254 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.9% | 207 |
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 | 86 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 892 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,664 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 892 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 432 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 246 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 3,591 | 20.2% |
| Petrol | 616 | 17.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 672 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 730 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 765 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 1,011 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 1,034 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Alphard-
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Tyres (5.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Toyota Alphard-s pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 4,212 2004 Toyota Alphard- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Alphard-?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2004 Alphard- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,212 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.