2004 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
1,113 MOT tests on the 2004 Toyota Estima are in this dataset, and 79.1% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 9.1pp better 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 15.0% 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, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 79 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 30-60k band and 24.4% in the 150k+ band, a 10.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 167 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 96 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.2% | 69 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 61 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 57 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 79 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 52 |
| 4 | Wipers | 46 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 35 |
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 | 39.9% | 444 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.5% | 284 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.9% | 255 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 233 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 203 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.9% | 133 |
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 | 93 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 239 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 267 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 270 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 225 | 24.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 851 | 20.0% |
| Diesel | 187 | 21.4% |
| Hybrid | 65 | 32.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 223 | 20.6% |
| 2022 | 199 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 192 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 271 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 228 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Estima
On a 2004 Estima, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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.
- Brakes (6.2% 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 Toyota Estimas pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 1,113 2004 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2004 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 30-60k band to 24.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,113 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.