2004 Ford Mondeo · 16,460 MOT tests
2004 Ford Mondeo reliability
2004 Ford Mondeos fail 46.8% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Mondeo years (16,460 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Mondeos: 33.3%)
- 46.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Mondeos: 33.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 116,579
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 16,460
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 10.7% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 38% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Ford Mondeo
Fail rate by area
- Suspension20.5%
- Brakes19.4%
- Lights and electrics18.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.7%
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%
- Tyres7.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.22%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 5.15%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.23%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.05%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 3.53%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.07%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (24.62%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.22%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.99%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.37%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.17%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.07%)
Other years
Every Ford Mondeo year
The full picture: Ford Mondeo reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Mondeo, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Ford Mondeo reliable?
2004 Ford Mondeos fail 46.8% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 23 Mondeo years (16,460 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Ford Mondeo MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.22% of tests), position lamp not working (5.15% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.23% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Ford Mondeo have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Ford Mondeo shows 116,579 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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