CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL SIGNUM (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 307 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 15 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific VAUXHALL SIGNUM

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel1796cc22 years old307 tests121k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1796cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VAUXHALL SIGNUM

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 22 years old, 67% of VAUXHALL SIGNUMs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 307 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 121,492 miles.

Got a VAUXHALL SIGNUM you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars408th of 491(top 83%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models845th of 882(top 96%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-5%(72% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-17%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

121,492

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM has 121,492 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific VAUXHALL SIGNUM?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2003 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 63%. The 2004 sits between the two at 67%.

VAUXHALL SIGNUM by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200863%63130,218 mi
200771%538128,236 mi
200674%832124,339 mi
200573%382124,763 mi
200467%307121,492 mi
200377%111111,342 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Vauxhall Signum

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM

The 2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM is a family car with a 1796cc diesel engine. 307 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 83% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 121,492 miles at 22 years old, VAUXHALL SIGNUM owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM Fuel Costs

The 1796cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 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 SIGNUM?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VAUXHALL SIGNUM Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM

At 22 years old, the VAUXHALL SIGNUM 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 2003 model has the highest pass rate at 77%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 VAUXHALL SIGNUM'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 121k 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 67% 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 SIGNUM stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL SIGNUM(2004)67%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
FORD FIESTA(2006)70%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£567
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2006)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2006)68%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690-£367
TOYOTA YARIS(2006)73%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£567

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

In-depth articles relevant to the Vauxhall Signum.

Check a specific VAUXHALL SIGNUM

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a VAUXHALL SIGNUM? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB