CarCostCheck

FORD UNCLASSIFIED (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 97 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2500cc Diesel

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific FORD UNCLASSIFIED

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel2500cc22 years old97 tests67k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2500cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2500cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this FORD UNCLASSIFIED

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

81% 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%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 22 years old, 81% of FORD UNCLASSIFIEDs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 97 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,897 miles.

Got a FORD UNCLASSIFIED you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars115th of 491(top 23%)
Rank among FORD models797th of 1,167(top 68%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+9%(72% avg)
vs FORD average-4%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,897

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 FORD UNCLASSIFIED has 66,897 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.

Looking at a specific FORD UNCLASSIFIED?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2004 sits between the two at 81%.

FORD UNCLASSIFIED by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202192%31916,529 mi
202090%24037,713 mi
201996%21147,454 mi
201888%19538,658 mi
201788%21347,686 mi
201687%15260,609 mi
201584%30369,351 mi
201482%20066,491 mi
201386%33872,228 mi
201275%44687,499 mi
201184%12996,284 mi
201072%116103,666 mi
200974%129103,310 mi
200881%192103,519 mi
200777%23696,050 mi
200678%15991,424 mi
200578%17194,480 mi
200481%9766,897 mi
200379%6887,194 mi
200285%5475,694 mi
200183%5999,105 mi
200087%3988,838 mi
199984%68103,453 mi
199876%3880,916 mi
199766%6294,805 mi
199686%70125,531 mi
199577%73117,708 mi
199462%5276,199 mi
199369%3596,954 mi
199286%3769,543 mi
199076%3475,159 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Ford Unclassified

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2004 FORD UNCLASSIFIED

The 2004 FORD UNCLASSIFIED is a large car with a 2500cc diesel engine. 97 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 23% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 66,897 miles at 22 years old, FORD UNCLASSIFIED 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 UNCLASSIFIED Fuel Costs

The 2500cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2004 FORD UNCLASSIFIED?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD UNCLASSIFIED Reliability Trend

Newer FORD UNCLASSIFIEDs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 FORD UNCLASSIFIED

At 22 years old, the FORD UNCLASSIFIED 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. Note: with only 97 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 UNCLASSIFIED stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD UNCLASSIFIED(2004)81%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2045
HONDA CIVIC(2006)71%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
BMW 3 SERIES(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050+£5
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2006)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2006)78%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5

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.

Related Ford Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Ford Unclassified.

Check a specific FORD UNCLASSIFIED

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a FORD UNCLASSIFIED? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB