Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 LDV 400?

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 2005 LDV 400?

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 2005 LDV 400?

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.

How many 2005 LDV 400 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2005 LDV 400 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 146 vehicles, the 2005 LDV 400 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 LDV 400?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 LDV 400 are: Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (69.2% of vehicles), Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (61.2% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (54.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 LDV 400?

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 (2005)

146 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72% first-time pass rate

2005 LDV 400

CarHunch analysed 146 real MOT records for the 2005 LDV 400. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2005 LDV 400 is a concerning prospect—its 72.0% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, and nearly 36% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects on their MOT history, which is a serious red flag for any potential buyer. The diesel engine performs roughly in line with the model average at 72.2%, offering no advantage.

With an average mileage of 73,168 miles for an 18-year-old van, these are relatively hard-worked examples, and the 3.66 failures per vehicle hints at structural or mechanical wear rather than just minor issues. Before purchasing, get a full pre-buy inspection from a specialist and specifically request MOT history documentation to cross-check any dangerous defects flagged in your chosen vehicle's records.

We have limited data for the 2005 LDV 400 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

72%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

35.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.66

Over 11.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

66k

Middle half: 44k–91k

For context

These stats describe 146 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 146 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 69.2%

Nearside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush · Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush · Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 54.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Service brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 33.4%

Oil leak

Tyre wear 24.3%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 146 LDV 400 cars.

Before you buy a 2005 LDV 400

Based on MOT data from 146 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.6% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (97%)	142	72.2%	3.63

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 LDV 400 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.

66,167

typical

44,354

low mileage

91,151

high mileage

Half of all 2005 LDV 400 vehicles fall between 44,354 and 91,151 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 44,354 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.

✓ 44,354–91,151 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 LDV 400s sit.

⚠ Over 123,053 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 LDV 400 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 12% of 2005 LDV 400s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (12% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

11.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.66

Avg failures per vehicle

20.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — LDV 400: All 400 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2005 LDV 400 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on