Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 (2004)

578 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340

CarHunch analysed 578 real MOT records for the 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This DAF truck is exceptionally unreliable for MOT testing, with a first-time pass rate of just 4.1% against the UK average of 80%—meaning 96 out of every 100 vehicles fail their test. The dangerous defect rate sits at a negligible 0.2%, so while these trucks rarely pass, safety-critical failures are mercifully rare.

These are working vehicles with serious mileage: the median sits at 478,694 miles, which explains much of the failure pattern. The near-zero advisories combined with high failure rates suggests these trucks hit sudden, significant problems rather than developing gradual wear, so any purchase must be backed by a professional pre-buy inspection from a diesel specialist—don't rely on recent MOT history alone.

The 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.7% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass
71.7%
UK average ~80%
Below average
Dangerous (ever)
0.2%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.1
Over 1.2 tests on record
Low
Typical mileage
479k
Middle half: 416k–600k
For context
⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 578 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 578 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 100%
Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 100%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort · Service brake: efficiency below requirements · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 100%
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak · Steering damper leaking oil
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Lighting 100%
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam · Registration plate lamp not working
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Seat belts 100%
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
Other issues 100%
Fuel tank leaking · Spare wheel carrier insecure

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 578 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340

Based on MOT data from 578 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 574 71.7% 0.1

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,001 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 52.9%
1,588
Blue 16%
480
Red 10.5%
316
Yellow 6.9%
208
Green 5.7%
171
Orange 2.6%
79
Black 1.6%
48
Grey 1%
30
Silver 0.7%
22
Multi-colour 0.7%
21
Brown 0.6%
19
Cream 0.6%
19

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

478,694
typical
416,386
low mileage
599,586
high mileage

Half of all 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 vehicles fall between 416,386 and 599,586 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 416,386 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
416,386–599,586 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340s sit.
Over 809,441 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 33% of 2004 Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (33% of peak).

28 10 2017 2022

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2022.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

1.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.1
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Daf Trucks Fadcf85.340: All Fadcf85.340 years → Which year to buy? →
2002 2003 2005 2006

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Buyer beware — pass it on