Ford Mustang (2004)
2004 Ford Mustang
CarHunch analysed 135 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Mustang. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Mustang hits the UK average at 79.3% pass rate, so reliability is broadly in line with expectations for a 20-year-old car—nothing alarming, but nothing exceptional either. However, 21.5% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is notably high and worth taking seriously during your pre-purchase inspection.
These Mustangs are running at modest mileage for their age (median 46,510 miles), suggesting many have been cherished rather than thrashed, though the average of 2.21 failures per MOT test indicates consistent mechanical issues that buyers should budget for. Check the full service history carefully and have an independent mechanic inspect the brakes, steering, and suspension—the most common failure categories for this generation.
What to check before buying a 2004 Ford Mustang
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 21.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ford Mustang
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 134 | 79.5% | 2.22 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Ford Mustang vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Ford Mustang vehicles fall between 30,500 and 66,594 miles.
2004 Ford Mustang — Still on the Road
55 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Ford Mustang
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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29.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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19.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12.5%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements
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12.5%
Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Mustang?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.