Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Vulcan Harrier?

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 Vulcan Harrier?

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 Vulcan Harrier?

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.

Is the 2004 Vulcan Harrier reliable?

Based on MOT data from 113 vehicles, the 2004 Vulcan Harrier has a first-time MOT pass rate of 64.9%, 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 Vulcan Harrier?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Vulcan Harrier are: Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (26.2% of vehicles), Drive chain slightly loose (20.2% of vehicles), Chain guard missing (19% 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 Vulcan Harrier?

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

Vulcan Harrier (2004)

113 real MOT outcomes analysed • 64.9% first-time pass rate

2004 Vulcan Harrier

CarHunch analysed 113 real MOT records for the 2004 Vulcan Harrier. 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 MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 Vulcan Harrier is a significantly unreliable prospect, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 36.2%—less than half the UK average of 80%. While the dangerous defect rate of 13.3% is not excessive, the poor pass rate reflects systematic issues that buyers should take seriously.

These vehicles are running very light mileage for their age (median 7,308 miles), suggesting many are either very lightly used or have been stored, which may explain inconsistent maintenance. The average 0.71 failures per vehicle points to genuine mechanical problems rather than just wear, and with 1.5 advisories per car on top, you should budget for repairs before and after purchase—have any candidate independently inspected by a specialist before committing.

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

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

64.9%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

13.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.71

Over 2.3 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–10k

For context

These stats describe 113 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 113 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 26.2%

Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated · Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · …

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

Lighting 20.2%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high · Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 19%

Chain guard missing · Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive · …

Suspension & steering 9.5%

Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect

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 113 Vulcan Harrier cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Vulcan Harrier

Based on MOT data from 113 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.3% 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 Vulcan Harrier 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.

7,308

typical

4,153

low mileage

10,011

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Vulcan Harrier vehicles fall between 4,153 and 10,011 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,153 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.

✓ 4,153–10,011 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Vulcan Harriers sit.

⚠ Over 13,514 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.71

Avg failures per vehicle

1.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Vulcan Harrier stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on