Fiat Idea (2004)

2,038 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.4% first-time pass rate

2004 Fiat Idea

CarHunch analysed 2,038 real MOT records for the 2004 Fiat Idea. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 7.6% below UK average
72.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
56,460
typical mileage
44,752–68,603 middle half
37%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.42
avg MOT failures per car
over 15.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2004 Fiat Idea

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 37% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Fiat Idea

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (78%) 1,588 72.6% 4.39
Diesel (22%) 450 71.9% 4.52

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Fiat Idea vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

44,752
low mileage
56,460
typical
68,603
high mileage

Half of all 2004 Fiat Idea vehicles fall between 44,752 and 68,603 miles.

2004 Fiat Idea — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 102 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (6% of peak).

1,720 102 2014 2024

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.

MOT History Averages

15.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.42
Avg failures per vehicle
17.7
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Fiat Idea

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 81.8%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 81.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 49.6%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 42.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 39.6%
    Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 37.2%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 34.8%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 27.6%
    Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Fiat Idea?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Fiat Idea:

2005 2006 2007