2004 Renault Master MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 54.2% of Renault Masters first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 1,702 Master first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Renault Masters first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
54.2%
of 506 first tests; all cars first used in 2004: 57.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,702
first tests, 2023–2025; 506 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
19.6%
of 506 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
138,000
middle half: 98,500–178,000 miles; all cars first used in 2004: 103,500

How the 2004 Renault Master MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Masters first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Master figure was 3.6 points lower.

2004 MasterAll cars first used in 2004
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2004, test year 2021: 53.9%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2022: 55.2%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2023: 56%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2024: 56.4%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2025: 57.8%2004 Master, test year 2021: 51.8%2004 Master, test year 2022: 51.8%2004 Master, test year 2023: 53.7%2004 Master, test year 2024: 51.6%2004 Master, test year 2025: 54.2%57.8%54.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2004 MasterAll cars first used 2004Master first tests
202151.8%53.9%674
202251.8%55.2%655
202353.7%56.0%628
202451.6%56.4%568
202554.2%57.8%506

Common 2004 Renault Master MOT failures

Share of the 798 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment54.3%
Brakes48.5%
Suspension34.2%
Body, chassis, structure19.4%
Visibility18.5%
Steering17.0%
Tyres9.1%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems7.3%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements21.3%170
Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt11.8%94
Position lamp: not working11.8%94
Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side9.9%79
Ball joint: excessively worn9.4%75

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Master in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Parking brake performance: inoperative on one sideHandbrake cable replacement£105£75–£150
Ball joint: excessively wornBall joint replacement£90£60–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2004 Renault Master before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2004 Renault Master MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Masters, as a share of all 1,702 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened17.9%305
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive15.2%258
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)11.0%187
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material10.8%184
Ball joint: has slight play10.8%183

Questions about the 2004 Renault Master MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Renault Master?

In 2025, 54.2% of Masters first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2004 Master most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 54.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (48.5%) and suspension (34.2%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (21.3%).

How often does a 2004 Renault Master fail its MOT?

In 2025, 45.8% of first tests on Masters first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 41.5% failed, and a further 4.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 798 of 1,702 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2004 Renault Master MOT advisories?

“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 17.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (15.2%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (11.0%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (10.8%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (10.8%).

Is a 2004 Renault Master reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 51.8% in 2021 to 54.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2004

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics

How the 2004 Renault Master MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2004 Master” means a Renault Master whose date of first use falls in 2004 (53, 04 and 54 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2004, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.