2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Ford Fusion MOT pass rate and common faults

3,846 MOT tests in 2024. 54.8% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time54.8%
Failed or needed repairs45.2%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,846 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working7.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.7%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.1%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.6%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.5%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.3%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    182 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics36.9%
  2. Suspension22.3%
  3. Brakes17.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.2%
  5. Body & chassis9.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.9%
  7. Tyres7.9%
  8. Steering2.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded29.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure15.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.5%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Ford Fusion?

In 2024, 54.8% of 2004 Ford Fusion cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,846 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Ford Fusion?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Ford Fusion reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).