CarCostCheck

FORD CARDINAL (2004)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 30 real MOT tests in 2024.

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Total Tests (2024)

30

Avg Mileage

88,837 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,097

Is the 2004 FORD CARDINAL reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 20 years old, 93% of FORD CARDINALs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 88,837 miles.

How does the 2004 FORD CARDINAL compare?

Rank among all 2004 cars28th out of 491(top 6%)
Rank among all FORD models323th out of 1,167(top 28%)
vs national average+11% (82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+21% (72% avg)
vs FORD average+8% (85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2004 FORD CARDINAL has 88,837 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

How much does a 2004 FORD CARDINAL cost to run?

Fuel (Petrol, 3984cc)
£1,592
🏛️Road Tax
£250
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£2,097
Per month£175/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Checking a specific FORD CARDINAL?

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About the 2004 FORD CARDINAL

The 2004 FORD CARDINAL is a performance with a 3984cc petrol engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 88,837 miles at 20 years old, FORD CARDINAL owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 FORD CARDINAL Fuel Costs

The 3984cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 FORD CARDINAL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,097 175/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £250 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2004 FORD CARDINAL

At 20 years old, the FORD CARDINAL is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 2004 FORD CARDINAL

The FORD CARDINAL is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol performances from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: