How much does a 2004 FIAT IDEA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,087 (£174/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 FIAT IDEA?

The 2004 FIAT IDEA has a 65% MOT pass rate based on 245 tests in 2026. This ranks 449 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year FIAT IDEA is most reliable?

The 2006 FIAT IDEA has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 65%.

FIAT IDEA (2004)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 FIAT IDEA?

The average mileage for a 2004 FIAT IDEA is 78,204 miles, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 245 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1368cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1368cc22 years old245 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1368cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1368cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,087

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FIAT brand average of 83%.

At 22 years old, 65% of FIAT IDEAs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 245 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,204 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars449th of 491(top 91%)

Rank among FIAT models784th of 818(top 96%)

vs national average-17%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average-7%(72% avg)

vs FIAT average-18%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,204

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 FIAT IDEA has 78,204 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2006 model with a 72% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

FIAT IDEA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	68%	87	87,332 mi
2006	72%	170	86,196 mi
2005	70%	155	78,400 mi
2004	65%	245	78,204 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+8%

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+6%

BMW 3 SERIES

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+15%

HONDA JAZZ

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

+6%

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About the 2004 FIAT IDEA

The 2004 FIAT IDEA is a small family car with a 1368cc petrol engine. 245 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 91% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 78,204 miles at 22 years old, FIAT IDEA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2004 FIAT IDEA Fuel Costs

The 1368cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 FIAT IDEA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 (£174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

FIAT IDEA Reliability Trend

The FIAT IDEA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 FIAT IDEA

At 22 years old, the FIAT IDEA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 FIAT IDEA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 FIAT IDEA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FIAT IDEA(2004)	65%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£2087
FORD FOCUS(2006)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£260
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£260
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£220
HONDA JAZZ(2006)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£365

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.