2004 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 758 MOT tests, the 2004 Vauxhall Corsavan recorded a 69.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and brakes (15.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 64 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Corsavan fails 29.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 31.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.4 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 29.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 118 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.3% | 116 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.1% | 69 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.9% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 64 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Joints | 53 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 51 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 43 |
| 6 | Wipers | 38 |
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 | 37.5% | 284 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 232 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.4% | 223 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.7% | 187 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 139 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 136 |
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 | 137 | 29.2% |
| 90-120k | 164 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 206 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 177 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 226 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 204 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 142 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 101 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 85 | 34.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Corsavan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.6% 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.
- Suspension (15.3% 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.
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 Corsavans pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 758 2004 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by brakes (15.6%).
Does the 2004 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.2% in the 60-90k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 758 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.