2004 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 62,260 MOT tests, the 2004 Volkswagen Transporter recorded a 70.7% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.9%, so the 2004 Transporter sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.1%) and suspension (15.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 4,264 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.6% in the 0-30k band and 30.6% in the 150k+ band, a 15.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 10,631 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 9,389 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 7,883 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 3,620 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 3,427 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 3,064 |
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 | 4,264 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 3,845 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,135 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 3,096 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 3,081 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 2,999 |
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 | 40.4% | 25,173 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 23,984 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 14,502 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 13,406 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 9,061 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 8,232 |
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 | 180 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,049 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,681 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,183 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 11,077 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 41,061 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 62,027 | 29.3% |
| Petrol | 231 | 27.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,712 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 12,918 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 12,598 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 12,150 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 11,882 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Transporter
On a 2004 Transporter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.1% 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 (12.7% 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 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 62,260 2004 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2004 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,260 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.