2004 Volkswagen Transporter · 32,477 MOT tests
2004 Volkswagen Transporter reliability
2004 Volkswagen Transporters fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 26 Transporter years (32,477 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- 44.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 172,010
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 32,477
- 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: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.1% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 40% 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 Transporter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.4%
- Suspension19.5%
- Brakes16.4%
- Body, chassis and structure7.7%
- Steering7.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%
- Tyres5.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.42%
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 4.09%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.7%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.67%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.45%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.44%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (18.44%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.87%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.34%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.11%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.01%) · Suspension arm showing corrosion (5.59%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Transporter year
The full picture: Volkswagen Transporter reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Transporter, 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 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
2004 Volkswagen Transporters fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 26 Transporter years (32,477 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.42% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.09% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.7% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Volkswagen Transporter shows 172,010 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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