Used car guide

2004 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Vauxhall Agilas, from 950 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

950MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Vauxhall Agilas than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    33.8% All 2004 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.5× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    17.1% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    9.1% All 2004 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wheels2.7× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    4.1% All 2004 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Better than most

Headlights: 2.1% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars. Exhaust system: 3.9% here, against 9.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Steering
    18% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Vauxhall Agila?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20143,428Brakes 31%
20133,434Brakes 34%
20123,903Suspension 40%
20114,117Suspension 47%
20103,633Suspension 49%
20095,178Suspension 55%
20082,749Suspension 58%
2007905Brakes 45%
2006978Brakes 44%
20051,026Brakes 46%
20031,079Brakes 48%
2002558Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Vauxhall Agilas registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score