2004 Toyota Corolla · 28,591 MOT tests
2004 Toyota Corolla reliability
2004 Toyota Corollas fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 16 Corolla years (28,591 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- 42.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 101,877
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 28,591
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 17.2% of tests fail here (28% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 74% 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 Toyota Corolla
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.9%
- Brakes17.2%
- Suspension10.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.7%
- Body, chassis and structure6.5%
- Tyres5.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.04%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.62%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 4.61%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.54%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.41%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Service brake excessively binding 3.1%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.93%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (13.97%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.32%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.44%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.4%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.21%)
Other years
Every Toyota Corolla year
The full picture: Toyota Corolla reliability. Before you pay for any Toyota Corolla, 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 Toyota Corolla reliable?
2004 Toyota Corollas fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 16 Corolla years (28,591 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Toyota Corolla MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.04% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.62% of tests), position lamp not working (4.61% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Toyota Corolla have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Toyota Corolla shows 101,877 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).
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