2004 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 62,253 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Volkswagen Transporter, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.7% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.6% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 10,629 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 9,388 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 7,882 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 3,619 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 3,427 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 3,063 |
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 | 2,997 |
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% | 25,172 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 23,984 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 14,498 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 13,404 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 9,060 |
| 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 | 2,680 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,183 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 11,077 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 41,055 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 62,021 | 29.3% |
| Petrol | 230 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,712 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 12,915 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 12,597 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 12,149 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 11,880 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Transporter
Before buying a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- 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 62,253 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 62,253 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.