Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb reliable?

Based on MOT data from 194 vehicles, the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb has a first-time MOT pass rate of 62.8%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ford Transit 260 Swb (2004)

194 real MOT outcomes analysed • 62.8% first-time pass rate

2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb

CarHunch analysed 194 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 194 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2004 FORD TRANSIT (57,894 vehicles)

We have limited data for the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

62.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.32

Over 1.5 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

124k

Middle half: 87k–151k

For context

These stats describe 194 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 194 Ford Transit 260 Swb cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb

Based on MOT data from 194 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

123,909

typical

87,228

low mileage

150,796

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb vehicles fall between 87,228 and 150,796 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 87,228 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 87,228–150,796 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swbs sit.

⚠ Over 203,574 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.32

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Transit 260 Swb: All Transit 260 Swb years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Ford Transit 260 Swb stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on