2004 Vauxhall Agila — MOT failures & pass rate
9,146 MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila are in this dataset, and 75.0% of them passed. City cars of a similar age fail 29.6% of the time, so this is 4.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (9.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, registration plate lamp(s) and wipers — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 675 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.4% versus 14.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 1,154 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 899 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.7% | 797 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 629 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 549 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 453 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 675 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 474 |
| 3 | Wipers | 386 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 334 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 309 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 261 |
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 | 40.9% | 3,739 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 2,711 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.5% | 2,517 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.8% | 2,264 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 1,050 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 612 |
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 | 452 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,563 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,697 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,920 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 407 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,448 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 2,129 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 1,830 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 1,517 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 1,222 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Agila
On a 2004 Agila, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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 (8.7% 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 Vauxhall Agilas pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 9,146 2004 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Vauxhall Agila?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2004 Agila get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,146 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.