2004 Toyota Supra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 596 MOT tests, the 2004 Toyota Supra recorded an 87.3% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.4% fail rate), the 2004 Supra comes out 9.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.1% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 30-60k band and 16.7% in the 150k+ band, a 7.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.8% in 2021 to 11.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 48 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 25 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 21 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.9% | 17 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.0% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 29 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 5 | Washers | 19 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 16 |
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 | 19.1% | 114 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 101 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.8% | 88 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.9% | 77 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 62 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 53 |
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 | 32 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 6.8% |
| 90-120k | 174 | 9.2% |
| 120-150k | 123 | 17.9% |
| 150k+ | 126 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 163 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 135 | 11.8% |
| 2023 | 125 | 11.2% |
| 2024 | 86 | 8.1% |
| 2025 | 87 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Supra
On a 2004 Supra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Supras pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 596 2004 Toyota Supra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Supra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2004 Supra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 30-60k band to 16.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 596 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.