2004 Vauxhall Vectra · 5,801 MOT tests
2004 Vauxhall Vectra reliability
2004 Vauxhall Vectras fail 47.8% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Vectra years (5,801 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Vectras: 45.9%)
- 47.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Vectras: 45.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 113,751
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,801
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 19.8% of tests fail here (39% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 47% 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 Vauxhall Vectra
Fail rate by area
- Suspension21.7%
- Lights and electrics20.4%
- Brakes19.8%
- Body, chassis and structure9.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9%
- Tyres8.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.72%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.67%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.24%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.29%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 3.88%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 3.72%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.43%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.93%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (17.12%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (16.45%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.48%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.52%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Vectra year
The full picture: Vauxhall Vectra reliability. Before you pay for any Vauxhall Vectra, 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 Vauxhall Vectra reliable?
2004 Vauxhall Vectras fail 47.8% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Vectra years (5,801 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.72% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.67% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.24% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Vauxhall Vectra shows 113,751 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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