Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb?

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 350 Lwb?

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 350 Lwb?

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 350 Lwb reliable?

Based on MOT data from 513 vehicles, the 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.2%, 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 350 Lwb?

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 350 Lwb (2004)

513 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.2% first-time pass rate

2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb

CarHunch analysed 513 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2004 Transit 350 LWB is a serious reliability concern—only 21.8% pass MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and virtually every example on the road has accumulated faults. The diesel engines (which account for 510 of the 513 vehicles) aren't meaningfully better at 21.5% pass rate, so fuel type offers no refuge here.

At 155,782 miles average, these vans have done genuine work, yet the real issue is the volume of failures: 0.57 per vehicle on average means most have multiple defects stacked up. If you're considering one, budget for substantial repairs before use, get a pre-purchase inspection from a diesel specialist, and treat the MOT history as a repair checklist, not a reassurance.

The 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb has a below-average first-time pass rate (67.2% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

67.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.58

Over 2.2 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

151k

Middle half: 102k–199k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 513 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 513 Ford Transit 350 Lwb cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb

Based on MOT data from 513 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	510	67.2%	0.57

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,688 Ford Transit 350 Lwb vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 76%

2,043

Blue 8%

216

Silver 6%

161

Red 5.7%

154

Grey 1.5%

Yellow 1.3%

Green 0.6%

Black 0.6%

Orange 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb 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.

151,341

typical

101,623

low mileage

198,853

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb vehicles fall between 101,623 and 198,853 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 101,623 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.

✓ 101,623–198,853 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwbs sit.

⚠ Over 268,451 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 27% of 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwbs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 34 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

2.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.58

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Transit 350 Lwb: All Transit 350 Lwb years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Ford Transit 350 Lwb stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on