How much does a 2004 FORD EXPLORER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 FORD EXPLORER?

The 2004 FORD EXPLORER has a 78% MOT pass rate based on 69 tests in 2026. This ranks 166 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year FORD EXPLORER is most reliable?

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 66%.

FORD EXPLORER (2004)

Q: Is the 2004 FORD EXPLORER reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 69 tests. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 FORD EXPLORER?

The average mileage for a 2004 FORD EXPLORER is 77,520 miles, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 69 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4600cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2907/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4600cc22 years old69 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4600cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4600cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,907

Per month£242/mo

Per week£56/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 22 years old, 78% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 69 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 77,520 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars166th of 491(top 34%)

Rank among FORD models865th of 1,167(top 74%)

vs national average-4%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+6%(72% avg)

vs FORD average-7%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,520

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 FORD EXPLORER has 77,520 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2004 sits between the two at 78%.

FORD EXPLORER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	88%	32	89,490 mi
2014	89%	44	97,646 mi
2013	89%	61	84,193 mi
2012	100%	38	84,961 mi
2005	89%	92	72,400 mi
2004	78%	69	77,520 mi
2003	88%	49	93,976 mi
2002	73%	33	83,397 mi
2000	73%	158	91,142 mi
1999	81%	203	114,067 mi
1998	66%	197	109,272 mi
1997	76%	98	104,130 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW X5

2005 · 4799cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-1%

MERCEDES CLK

2004 · 4966cc Petrol

£2,397/year

76%

-2%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

2006 · 4197cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

+2%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2005 · 4394cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

+4%

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About the 2004 FORD EXPLORER

The 2004 FORD EXPLORER is a performance with a 4600cc petrol engine. 69 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 77,520 miles at 22 years old, FORD EXPLORER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2004 FORD EXPLORER Fuel Costs

The 4600cc 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 EXPLORER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD EXPLORER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD EXPLORERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 FORD EXPLORER

At 22 years old, the FORD EXPLORER 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 69 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 FORD EXPLORER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 FORD EXPLORER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD EXPLORER(2004)	78%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2907
BMW X5(2005)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£510
MERCEDES CLK(2004)	76%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2006)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2005)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.