2004 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,272 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.4% was above the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.9% in the 150k+ group versus 18.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.6% | 2,932 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 2,620 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 2,085 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,440 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.1% | 1,414 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 871 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,508 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,476 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 1,270 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,188 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,146 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,100 |
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 | 36.2% | 8,429 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.3% | 7,970 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.2% | 6,324 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.3% | 5,893 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 3,950 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 3,297 |
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 | 55 | 18.2% |
| 30-60k | 458 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,962 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,422 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 6,268 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 10,071 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,231 | 23.4% |
| Petrol | 10,039 | 23.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,695 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 5,585 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 4,575 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 3,645 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 2,772 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 5 Series
Before buying a 2004 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 12.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 23,272 2004 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Bmw 5 Series?
Suspension, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.3%).
Does the 2004 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 0-30k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,272 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.