2004 Ford Mondeo 3.0L Petrol · ST04 STX

The most recent DVSA examination on 27 November 2025 recorded a clean pass with no defects or advisories noted, and this follows an unbroken run of five consecutive passes dating back to the 2021 test. There are no recorded failures, no advisory items, and no recurring concerns across the entire visible MOT history, which suggests the vehicle has either been diligently maintained or has not been driven sufficiently to generate wear-related defects that would prompt examiner comments. The maintenance trend is therefore best described as stable, with no evidence of either improvement or deterioration visible from the official records. The recorded odometer reading of 115,658 miles on a vehicle of this vintage equates to roughly 5,257 miles per year over its twenty-two year life, which is substantially below the national average and indicates either extended periods of light use or, more likely, considerable time spent standing. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as brake pads, clutch friction material, and drivetrain components, but it conversely accelerates calendar-related degradation of rubber, fluids, and electrical components. The gap between the oldest recorded test and today is also worth noting, as such a long unmotored period in a car of this age warrants particular scrutiny for time-based deterioration rather than mileage-based wear. Given the absence of any advisories or recurring defects on the MOT record, buyer-side attention should focus on the items that examiners do not necessarily assess but which are highly relevant to a low-mileage, older vehicle. The tyres should be examined closely for perishing and sidewall cracking, as rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of tread depth; any tyres older than six years from their DOT date stamp should be replaced on safety grounds. The 12 volt battery should be load-tested, as a battery that has sat partially discharged during periods of inactivity will have reduced capacity and may fail without warning. Brake discs and calipers should be inspected for surface corrosion, seized slide pins, or binding calipers caused by prolonged standing, which can manifest as uneven braking, pulling to one side, or a juddering sensation under pedal pressure. Exhaust mounting rubbers, underbody underseal, and brake flexihoses should all be checked for perishing from age, and the cooling system, power steering, and brake fluid should be considered overdue for renewal on a calendar basis regardless of the mileage accrued. Finally, on a road test, particular attention should be paid to the suspension for clonks, knocking, or excessive body roll over bumps, which would indicate perished bushes or weakened coil springs commonly seen on Mondeos of this era. Listen for any drivetrain noises from the transmission and differential on overrun and during tight low-speed manoeuvres, and check for oil leaks from the engine and transmission once the vehicle is warm. Inspect the service book and supporting invoices to verify that time-based items such as cambelt replacement, coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid (if applicable) have been attended to at the correct intervals, as MOT history alone does not capture whether these critical service items have been performed. Confirm that all warning lamps extinguish promptly after the engine starts and that there are no stored diagnostic trouble codes, ideally by reading the engine management system with a suitable OBD scanner, before committing to purchase.