2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Mazda B Series MOT pass rate and common faults

173 MOT tests in 2024. 59.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time59.0%
Failed or needed repairs41.0%
Typical mileage at test115,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 173 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rear fog lamp: not working10.4%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.7%
  3. Position lamp: not working6.4%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.6%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low4.0%
  6. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault4.0%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.5%
  8. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced3.5%
  9. Stop lamp: not working2.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics48.6%
  2. Body & chassis26.0%
  3. Brakes17.9%
  4. Suspension17.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.2%
  6. Steering5.2%
  7. Tyres4.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.9%
  3. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced10.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.7%
  5. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced7.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rear fog lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Mazda B Series?

In 2024, 59.0% of 2004 Mazda B Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 173 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Mazda B Series?

The most common failure reasons were rear fog lamp: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Mazda B Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).