2004 SEAT Arosa MOT pass rate: 65.3% (1,706 tests)
Is the 2004 Arosa getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65.9% +2.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 65.7% +1.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.9% -1.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 Arosa
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 455 | 21.1% |
| 2 | Suspension | 405 | 18.8% |
| 3 | Brakes | 376 | 17.5% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 251 | 11.7% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 237 | 11.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 154 | 7.2% |
All Arosa years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (this page) | 1,706 | 65.3% | +1.0 pts | 71,869 |
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FAQs
Is a 2004 SEAT Arosa reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 65.3% of their MOT tests (1,706 tests, 2023–2025), +1.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 71,869 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 Arosa?
The median tested example shows 71,869 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.