2004 Ford Freda — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 272 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Ford Freda, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.9% in the 150k+ group versus 14.3% in the 90-120k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.1% | 60 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 51 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 22 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 83 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 36 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 24 |
| 5 | Wipers | 20 |
| 6 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.3% | 107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 86 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.8% | 73 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.3% | 66 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 23.9% | 65 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 35 | 14.3% |
| 120-150k | 74 | 36.5% |
| 150k+ | 149 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 70 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 68 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 32 | 37.5% |
| 2025 | 30 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Freda
Before buying a 2004 Ford Freda, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 22.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (22.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Ford Fredas pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 272 2004 Ford Freda MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Ford Freda?
Suspension, recorded in 22.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.8%).
Does the 2004 Freda get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 90-120k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 272 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.