Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Mazda Mpv?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Mazda Mpv?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Mazda Mpv?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 Mazda Mpv vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Mazda Mpv reliable?

Based on MOT data from 407 vehicles, the 2004 Mazda Mpv has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Mazda Mpv?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Mazda Mpv are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (73.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (72.8% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (68.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Mazda Mpv?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda Mpv (2004)

407 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.2% first-time pass rate

2004 Mazda Mpv

CarHunch analysed 407 real MOT records for the 2004 Mazda Mpv. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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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

Moderate sample. 407 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2004 Mazda MPV diesel has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.8%, which sits notably below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these nearly 20-year-old vehicles are showing their age. A significant concern is that one in three of these MPVs (33.4%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable levels for a potential family purchase.

With median mileage around 76,000 miles for vehicles of this age, these are reasonably low-mileage examples, yet they're still averaging nearly 4 failures per test and 17.8 advisories—indicating wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before viewing any 2004 MPV, request the full MOT history to check what's been failing repeatedly, as this cohort's track record suggests you'll be managing ongoing repairs rather than buying reliable family transport.

The 2004 Mazda Mpv has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.2% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

71.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

33.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.86

Over 12.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

76k

Middle half: 60k–94k

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.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 17.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 407 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 407 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 73.8%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 68.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 49.9%

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Oil leak

Suspension & steering 44.4%

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

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 407 Mazda Mpv cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Mazda Mpv

Based on MOT data from 407 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 33.4% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (80%)	327	71.3%	3.84
Petrol (19%)	78	70.4%	4

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,182 Mazda Mpv vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 44.7%

1,421

Blue 19.8%

631

Green 11.9%

380

White 10.6%

337

Black 5.6%

178

Grey 3.6%

115

Red 2.4%

Maroon 0.6%

Gold 0.6%

Purple 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Mazda Mpv 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.

76,130

typical

59,795

low mileage

93,842

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Mazda Mpv vehicles fall between 59,795 and 93,842 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,795 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.

✓ 59,795–93,842 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Mazda Mpvs sit.

⚠ Over 126,686 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Mazda Mpv — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 7% of 2004 Mazda Mpvs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 18 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (7% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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

12.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.86

Avg failures per vehicle

17.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda Mpv: All Mpv years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Mazda Mpv stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on