Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Renault Modus?

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 Renault Modus?

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 Renault Modus?

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 Renault Modus vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

45% 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 Renault Modus reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,955 vehicles, the 2004 Renault Modus has a first-time MOT pass rate of 68.7%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Renault Modus?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Renault Modus are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (77.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (68.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (64.7% 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 Renault Modus?

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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Renault Modus (2004)

3,955 real MOT outcomes analysed • 68.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Renault Modus

CarHunch analysed 3,955 real MOT records for the 2004 Renault Modus. 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

The 2004 Renault Modus has a first-time MOT pass rate of 68.7%, which is 11 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that signals above-average reliability issues for its age. More concerning, 45.2% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is significantly higher than typical and should weigh heavily in your decision.

These cars are running at a median of just 52,556 miles, so mileage isn't explaining away the poor results—this is genuine wear-and-tear fragility. The average vehicle racks up nearly 6 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test, pointing to chronic problems with electrics, suspension, and exhaust systems rather than one-off failures. If you're considering one, budget for immediate professional inspection of brakes and emissions systems, and expect regular repair bills.

The 2004 Renault Modus has a below-average first-time pass rate (68.7% 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

68.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

45.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

5.81

Over 17.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

53k

Middle half: 41k–66k

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 19.7 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 3,955 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 3,955 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 77.6%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 47%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 45.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Suspension & steering 23.2%

Offside Front coil spring broken · Nearside Front coil spring broken

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 3,955 Renault Modus cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Renault Modus

Based on MOT data from 3,955 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.2% 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 →
📄 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
Petrol (70%)	2,762	69%	5.87
Diesel (30%)	1,193	68.3%	5.67

Colour Breakdown

Based on 30,819 Renault Modus vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 25.5%

7,845

Blue 23.5%

7,257

Red 15.1%

4,643

Black 11.8%

3,650

Gold 5.5%

1,695

Purple 5.3%

1,632

Beige 4%

1,246

Green 3.7%

1,139

Grey 3.1%

947

Brown 1.3%

413

White 0.9%

275

Bronze 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Renault Modus 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.

52,556

typical

40,777

low mileage

65,857

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Renault Modus vehicles fall between 40,777 and 65,857 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,777 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.

✓ 40,777–65,857 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Renault Moduss sit.

⚠ Over 88,906 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Renault Modus — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 11% of 2004 Renault Moduss are still active.

Numbers are declining — 388 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% 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

17.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

5.81

Avg failures per vehicle

19.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault Modus: All Modus years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Renault Modus stacks up against a rival.

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