Fiat Idea (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 245 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,353

£196/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1368cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,353/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

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,353

Per month£196/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Fiat brand average of 83%.

65% of MOT tests on Fiat Ideas from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 245 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 78,204 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models430th of 470(bottom 9%)

Rank among Fiat models755th of 788(bottom 5%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

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

vs Fiat average-18%(83% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,204

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Fiat Idea had 78,204 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 72%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

£2,228/year

73%

+8%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+6%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+15%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+6%

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About the 2004 Fiat Idea

The 2004 Fiat Idea is a small family car. Our records list a 1368cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 245 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 9% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 78,204 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Fiat Idea owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Fiat Idea?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,353 (£196/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 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

Newer Fiat Ideas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Fiat Idea(2004)	65%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£8
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Fiat Idea

Is the 2004 Fiat Idea reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 2004 Fiat Ideas ended in a pass, from 245 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Fiat Idea cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,353 a year (£196 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Fiat Idea?

65% of 245 MOT tests on the 2004 Fiat Idea ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 430th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 9%).

Which year Fiat Idea has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Fiat Idea has the highest MOT pass rate at 72% and the 2004 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Fiat Idea?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Fiat Idea is 78,204 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.