CarCostCheck

FORD MUSTANG (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

5000cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol5000cc22 years old147 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 5000cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 5000cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/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

82% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 22 years old, 82% of FORD MUSTANGs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 59,270 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars100th of 491(top 20%)
Rank among FORD models773th of 1,167(top 66%)
vs national average+0%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+10%(72% avg)
vs FORD average-3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,270

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 FORD MUSTANG has 59,270 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 2022 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2004 sits between the two at 82%.

FORD MUSTANG by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202296%5413,235 mi
202191%92315,949 mi
202092%2,33018,792 mi
201989%3,20023,848 mi
201890%5,72730,511 mi
201790%5,16133,418 mi
201688%6,64436,878 mi
201588%79742,568 mi
201490%19354,631 mi
201390%22353,084 mi
201288%25063,500 mi
201182%19970,044 mi
201086%24271,217 mi
200988%26065,602 mi
200888%46357,208 mi
200787%62866,137 mi
200686%65173,935 mi
200588%67772,553 mi
200482%14759,270 mi
200385%9581,097 mi
200292%7577,428 mi
200185%8867,827 mi
200076%12875,538 mi
199988%10185,621 mi
199890%70115,083 mi
199784%12577,032 mi
199684%17096,301 mi
199584%13792,168 mi
199484%12484,772 mi
199198%4873,234 mi

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About the 2004 FORD MUSTANG

The 2004 FORD MUSTANG is a performance with a 5000cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 59,270 miles at 22 years old, FORD MUSTANG 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 MUSTANG Fuel Costs

The 5000cc 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 MUSTANG?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD MUSTANG Reliability Trend

Newer FORD MUSTANGs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 FORD MUSTANG

At 22 years old, the FORD MUSTANG 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 FORD MUSTANG'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 MUSTANG stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD MUSTANG(2004)82%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
BMW X5(2005)77%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
MERCEDES CLK(2004)76%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
MERCEDES SL(2003)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
ROVER 75(2004)69%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2597-£160

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.

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Explore other Ford cars or similar models in the same category.

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