Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t?

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 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t?

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 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t?

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 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t reliable?

Based on MOT data from 119 vehicles, the 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.5%, indicating generally reliable 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 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t?

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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LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t (2004)

119 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.5% first-time pass rate

2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t

CarHunch analysed 119 real MOT records for the 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 LDV 400 Series TD is below the UK average, with a 73.7% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationally—a meaningful gap that suggests these vans are more likely to need remedial work before MOT. The 12.6% rate of dangerous defects is moderate and not a primary concern, though buyers should budget for attention to structural or safety issues on a proportion of examples.

At around 100,000 miles, these vans have typical mileage for their age, but the median CarHunch score of 50 reflects their aging condition: expect an average of 1.41 failures and 6.5 advisories per test, pointing to cumulative wear on brakes, suspension, and emissions systems. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake condition and any corrosion, as that's where most failures cluster on vehicles of this vintage and work intensity.

We have limited data for the 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

12.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.41

Over 5.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

101k

Middle half: 79k–125k

For context

These stats describe 119 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 119 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t cars.

Before you buy a 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t

Based on MOT data from 119 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.6% 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 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t 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.

100,911

typical

78,868

low mileage

124,868

high mileage

Half of all 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t vehicles fall between 78,868 and 124,868 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 78,868 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.

✓ 78,868–124,868 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5ts sit.

⚠ Over 168,571 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 54% of 2004 LDV 400 Series Td 3.5ts are still active.

13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2016 — 54% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2016.

MOT History Averages

5.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.41

Avg failures per vehicle

6.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — LDV 400 Series Td 3.5t: All 400 Series Td 3.5t years → Which year to buy? →

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Average reliability — agree?