2004 Volkswagen Passat · 13,250 MOT tests
2004 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2004 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 Passat years (13,250 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 42.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 156,675
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,250
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 14.7% of tests fail here (38% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 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 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.4%
- Body, chassis and structure14.7%
- Suspension13.1%
- Brakes11.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.8%
- Tyres6.4%
- Seat belts and airbags4.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 8.29%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.79%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 4.48%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.16%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Position lamp not working 4.14%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.57%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.94%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.47%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.14%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.44%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (7.78%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.3%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Passat year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2004 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.6% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 Passat years (13,250 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (8.29% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.79% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.48% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Volkswagen Passat shows 156,675 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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