2004 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,285 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Ford Galaxy, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.1% was below the average for MPVs of a similar age (69.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.7% in the 150k+ group versus 26.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.8% | 2,026 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 1,712 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 1,468 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.7% | 1,273 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.4% | 593 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 582 |
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 | 1,547 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 856 |
| 3 | Joints | 787 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 728 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 655 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 578 |
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 | 46.6% | 4,322 |
| 2 | Brakes | 45.6% | 4,233 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.6% | 2,843 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.5% | 2,368 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.7% | 1,827 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 1,363 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 172 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 759 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,960 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,830 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,543 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,657 | 33.8% |
| Petrol | 1,628 | 34.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,291 | 34.0% |
| 2022 | 2,392 | 34.0% |
| 2023 | 1,691 | 33.7% |
| 2024 | 1,137 | 34.5% |
| 2025 | 774 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Galaxy
Before buying a 2004 Ford Galaxy, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 21.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (21.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.8% 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 Galaxys pass their MOT?
66.1% of the 9,285 2004 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Ford Galaxy?
Suspension, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.4%).
Does the 2004 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 30-60k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,285 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.