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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).

About average#8 of 11 years

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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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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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