2004 BMW 3 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
75,296 MOT tests on the 2004 BMW 3 Series are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 24.3%, so the 2004 3 Series sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.2%) and suspension (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 4,217 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.6% versus 11.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.7pp more often than petrol ones (26.6% vs 23.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.5% in 2021 to 22.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.2% | 9,920 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 8,735 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 7,420 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 4,408 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 4,327 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 3,609 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 4,217 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,107 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,026 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 3,151 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 3,028 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,587 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.8% | 29,938 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.0% | 23,338 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 19,596 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 18,730 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 9,163 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.1% | 8,357 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 681 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,617 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 13,687 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 20,812 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 17,378 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 18,066 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 51,912 | 23.9% |
| Diesel | 23,365 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,126 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 17,401 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 14,584 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 12,011 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 10,174 | 22.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 3 Series
On a 2004 3 Series, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (11.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (9.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 BMW 3 Seriess pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 75,296 2004 BMW 3 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 BMW 3 Series?
Brakes, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2004 3 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 75,296 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.