Mazda Tribute (2004)
2004 Mazda Tribute
CarHunch analysed 537 real MOT records for the 2004 Mazda Tribute. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Mazda Tribute has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.5%, which falls noticeably short of the UK average of 80%, and a concerning 30% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above typical thresholds. This is a vehicle that demands serious scrutiny before purchase and close attention to maintenance thereafter.
At around 67,500 miles on average, these Tributes are showing moderate mileage for their age, yet they're racking up 4.27 failures and 23.2 advisories per test, suggesting wear-related issues are catching up with them. Before committing to one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, steering, and brake components, and factor in regular servicing costs to keep it roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 2004 Mazda Tribute
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.
- ⚠️ 30% 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 Mazda Tribute
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 (99%) | 529 | 73.3% | 4.31 |
| LPG (1%) | 7 | 82.1% | 1.86 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Mazda Tribute 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.
Half of all 2004 Mazda Tribute vehicles fall between 53,171 and 79,112 miles.
2004 Mazda Tribute — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 25 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Mazda Tribute
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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64.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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50%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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45.8%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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44.4%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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42.8%
Oil leak
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37.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.1%
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda Tribute?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.