2004 Toyota Lucida — MOT failures & pass rate
308 MOT tests on the 2004 Toyota Lucida are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Lucida comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 38 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 37.5% in the 60-90k band and 24.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 39 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 36 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.4% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 24 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 38 |
| 2 | Wipers | 29 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 23 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 18 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 17 |
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% | 123 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.8% | 101 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.0% | 83 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.0% | 80 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.1% | 62 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 60 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 32 | 37.5% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 17.6% |
| 120-150k | 60 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 175 | 24.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 76 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 58 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 41 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 35 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Lucida
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Lucidas pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 308 2004 Toyota Lucida MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Lucida?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2004 Lucida get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 37.5% in the 60-90k band to 24.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 308 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.