Ford Transit 260 Swb (2004)
2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb
CarHunch analysed 194 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2004 Ford Transit 260 SWB is a serious reliability concern: just 16.8% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and these vans are failing at a rate that suggests significant underlying issues. The good news is that dangerous defects haven't been recorded in this cohort, so while they're trouble-prone, they're not unsafe in the catastrophic sense.
These are genuinely high-mileage machines—averaging 124,229 miles at around 20 years old—which explains some wear, though the real problem is the frequency of failures rather than their severity. If you're considering one, treat any prospective purchase as needing a thorough pre-buy inspection by a van specialist, because nearly 84% of examples are arriving at MOT with something broken.
What to check before buying a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb
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.
- 📄 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 Transit 260 Swb
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb 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 Transit 260 Swb vehicles fall between 87,228 and 150,796 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Ford Transit 260 Swb?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.