CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL COMBO (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,226 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,825

£152/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1248cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £1825/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Diesel1248cc22 years old4,226 tests140k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1248cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1248cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£1,825
Per month£152/mo
Per week£35/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 VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 22 years old, 65% of VAUXHALL COMBOs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,226 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 139,747 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars437th of 491(top 89%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models859th of 882(top 97%)
vs national average-17%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-7%(72% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-19%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

139,747

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 VAUXHALL COMBO has 139,747 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2004 sits between the two at 65%.

VAUXHALL COMBO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202185%2,25644,074 mi
202082%16,65050,243 mi
201984%26,18956,702 mi
201881%5,21068,773 mi
201777%6,62482,586 mi
201675%9,35496,356 mi
201574%9,819102,757 mi
201473%9,086106,793 mi
201372%6,354111,544 mi
201270%5,907115,666 mi
201174%13,518110,613 mi
201072%12,858110,980 mi
200969%8,183121,545 mi
200868%10,804129,928 mi
200768%9,039133,235 mi
200666%6,903128,920 mi
200567%4,689128,941 mi
200465%4,226139,747 mi
200365%3,142138,909 mi
200267%960137,264 mi
200166%180111,186 mi
200067%83110,182 mi
199984%106105,727 mi
199883%81123,220 mi
199779%47134,272 mi
199675%79107,082 mi
199571%49116,969 mi

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About the 2004 VAUXHALL COMBO

The 2004 VAUXHALL COMBO is a small family car with a 1248cc diesel engine. 4,226 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 89% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 139,747 miles at 22 years old, VAUXHALL COMBO owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2004 VAUXHALL COMBO Fuel Costs

The 1248cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2004 VAUXHALL COMBO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,825 152/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 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.

VAUXHALL COMBO Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL COMBOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 VAUXHALL COMBO

At 22 years old, the VAUXHALL COMBO 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 85%.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 140k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 VAUXHALL COMBO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL COMBO(2004)65%£905£165Grp 8-20£1825
FORD FIESTA(2006)70%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2006)70%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2006)68%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690-£135
TOYOTA YARIS(2006)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£335

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.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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