2004 MINI Hatch · 72,441 MOT tests
2004 MINI Hatch reliability
2004 MINI Hatchs fail 45.4% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 Hatch years (72,441 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2004 MINI Hatch?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all MINI Hatchs: 25.6%)
- 45.4%
- first-time fail rate (all MINI Hatchs: 25.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 101,720
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 72,441
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.3% of tests fail here (78% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 53% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 MINI Hatch
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.8%
- Brakes16.5%
- Suspension15%
- Body, chassis and structure11.5%
- Steering7.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%
- Tyres6.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.72%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.59%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Position lamp not working 4.43%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.42%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.4%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.74%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (28.5%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (25.06%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.83%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.57%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.17%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.12%)
Other years
Every MINI Hatch year
The full picture: MINI Hatch reliability. Before you pay for any MINI Hatch, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 MINI Hatch reliable?
2004 MINI Hatchs fail 45.4% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 21 Hatch years (72,441 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 MINI Hatch MOT?
Most often rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (4.72% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.59% of tests), position lamp not working (4.43% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 MINI Hatch have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 MINI Hatch shows 101,720 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Check a 2004 MINI Hatch free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.