2004 Vauxhall Astravan — MOT failures & pass rate
7,893 MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Astravan are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse 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 (19.1%) and suspension (17.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,091 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Astravan fails 29.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 32.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 48.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 1,511 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.8% | 1,407 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 1,284 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.3% | 656 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 649 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 551 |
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 | 1,091 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 973 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 575 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 496 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 490 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 485 |
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 | 48.4% | 3,819 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.7% | 2,975 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.9% | 2,364 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.0% | 1,734 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 1,711 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 1,043 |
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 | 93 | 29.0% |
| 30-60k | 141 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 596 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,625 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 2,056 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,168 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,761 | 31.2% |
| Petrol | 132 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,459 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 1,930 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 1,534 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 1,139 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 831 | 31.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Astravan
On a 2004 Astravan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.8% 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 (16.3% 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 Astravans pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 7,893 2004 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Vauxhall Astravan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (17.8%).
Does the 2004 Astravan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,893 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.