How much does a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON?

The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 72 tests in 2026. This ranks 72 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON is most reliable?

The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 72%.

VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON (2004)

Q: Is the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of VOLKSWAGEN PHAETONs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 72 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON?

The average mileage for a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON is 119,058 miles, 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 72 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3189cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON

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

Petrol3189cc22 years old72 tests119k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3189cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3189cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 22 years old, 86% of VOLKSWAGEN PHAETONs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 72 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 119,058 miles.

Got a VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON 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 cars72th of 491(top 15%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models621th of 1,118(top 56%)

vs national average+4%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+14%(72% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average+1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,058

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON has 119,058 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 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON?

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

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2012 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2004 sits between the two at 86%.

VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	93%	40	101,099 mi
2013	84%	161	100,283 mi
2012	90%	281	88,241 mi
2011	85%	270	117,228 mi
2010	87%	157	119,557 mi
2009	85%	193	124,937 mi
2008	88%	184	120,893 mi
2007	84%	168	123,380 mi
2006	81%	175	111,895 mi
2005	72%	75	129,488 mi
2004	86%	72	119,058 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

LAND ROVER FREELANDER

2006 · 3192cc Petrol

£2,397/year

70%

-16%

MERCEDES E

2004 · 3199cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-8%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

2005 · 3197cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

same

BMW X3

2006 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-8%

Check a Specific Volkswagen Phaeton

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 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON

The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON is a performance with a 3189cc petrol engine. 72 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 119,058 miles at 22 years old, VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON Fuel Costs

The 3189cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 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 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN PHAETONs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON

At 22 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 90%. Note: with only 72 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 119k 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.

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 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON(2004)	86%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2006)	70%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
MERCEDES E(2004)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2005)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
BMW X3(2006)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£360

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.