2004 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,578 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Vauxhall Combo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 65.6% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.5% | 4,204 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 3,995 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.0% | 3,139 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 2,464 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.5% | 1,856 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.9% | 1,737 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,872 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,666 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,546 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,483 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,476 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,298 |
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 | 46.4% | 9,080 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.6% | 7,555 |
| 3 | Tyres | 33.0% | 6,459 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.9% | 4,879 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 24.8% | 4,861 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 4,644 |
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 | 367 | 41.7% |
| 30-60k | 305 | 30.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,716 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,132 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,487 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 6,782 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 19,364 | 34.4% |
| Petrol | 210 | 35.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,093 | 34.9% |
| 2022 | 4,978 | 35.1% |
| 2023 | 3,777 | 34.1% |
| 2024 | 2,787 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 1,943 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Combo
Before buying a 2004 Vauxhall Combo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 21.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (21.5% 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 (20.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.0% 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 Combos pass their MOT?
65.6% of the 19,578 2004 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (20.4%).
Does the 2004 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 41.7% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,578 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.