Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Tata Tl?

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 Tata Tl?

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 Tata Tl?

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 Tata Tl vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

35% 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 Tata Tl reliable?

Based on MOT data from 145 vehicles, the 2004 Tata Tl has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.7%, 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 Tata Tl?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Tata Tl are: Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (73.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (54.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (53.2% 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 Tata Tl?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Tata Tl (2004)

145 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Tata Tl

CarHunch analysed 145 real MOT records for the 2004 Tata Tl. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 TATA TL has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.7%, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 35% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for any buyer. This is a car that demands close pre-purchase inspection and honest mechanic appraisal before committing.

At an average mileage of around 50,000 km per vehicle, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, yet they're still racking up 3.7 failures and 15.6 advisories per test on average. The frequent advisory flags suggest wear and maintenance issues are catching up fast, so budget for preventative work and factor in above-average repair costs if you're considering one.

We have limited data for the 2004 Tata Tl — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

65.7%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

34.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.73

Over 10.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

43k

Middle half: 29k–55k

For context

These stats describe 145 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 145 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 73.4%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Suspension & steering 44%

Nearside Steering pivot point has slight play · Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play · Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel · …

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

Tyre wear 42.1%

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.

Other issues 40.1%

Oil leak · Horn not working

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 145 Tata Tl cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Tata Tl

Based on MOT data from 145 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 34.5% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Tata Tl 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.

42,870

typical

28,671

low mileage

54,786

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Tata Tl vehicles fall between 28,671 and 54,786 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,671 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.

✓ 28,671–54,786 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Tata Tls sit.

⚠ Over 73,961 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Tata Tl — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 2004 Tata Tls are still active.

Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (19% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.
* 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

10.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.73

Avg failures per vehicle

15.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Tata Tl stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on