Vauxhall Vectra (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 2,420 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 14 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Vauxhall Vectra

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

Diesel1995cc22 years old2,420 tests120k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

68% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Vectras from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 2,420 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 119,713 miles.

Got a Vauxhall Vectra you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models361st of 470(bottom 24%)

Rank among Vauxhall models820th of 870(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-4%(72% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-16%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,713

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Vauxhall Vectra had 119,713 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific Vauxhall Vectra?

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

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 68%. 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.

Vauxhall Vectra by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	71%	3,408	117,617 mi
2008	70%	18,793	117,989 mi
2007	71%	16,124	121,476 mi
2006	72%	8,767	121,234 mi
2005	69%	4,303	121,677 mi
2004	68%	2,420	119,713 mi
2003	70%	1,288	109,896 mi
2002	74%	1,056	110,589 mi
2001	73%	1,098	100,719 mi
2000	75%	656	101,398 mi
1999	73%	790	110,725 mi
1998	70%	570	96,607 mi
1997	72%	327	108,173 mi
1996	67%	78	86,421 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2006 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

+4%

Vauxhall Astra

2005 · 1598cc Diesel

£2,144/year

69%

+1%

Honda Civic

2006 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

71%

+3%

Audi A3

2006 · 1595cc Diesel

£1,944/year

73%

+5%

Check a Specific Vauxhall Vectra

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.

About the 2004 Vauxhall Vectra

The 2004 Vauxhall Vectra is a family car. Our records list a 1995cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 2,420 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 24% of 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 119,713 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Vectra owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2004 Vauxhall Vectra Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 Vectra?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Vauxhall Vectra Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2004 Vauxhall Vectra

At 22 years old, the Vauxhall Vectra 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.

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 120k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 Vectra 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
Vauxhall Vectra(2004)	68%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Volkswagen Golf(2006)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Vauxhall Astra(2005)	69%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£2,144-£283
Honda Civic(2006)	71%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£214
Audi A3(2006)	73%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£483

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 Vauxhall Vectra

Is the 2004 Vauxhall Vectra reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2004 Vauxhall Vectras ended in a pass, from 2,420 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 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 Vauxhall Vectra?

68% of 2,420 MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Vectra ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 361st of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom 24%).

Which year Vauxhall Vectra has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2000 Vauxhall Vectra has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2004 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Vauxhall Vectra?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Vauxhall Vectra is 119,713 miles, which is in line with the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.