2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,353 MOT tests in 2024. 83.8% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

148Well above average
Passed first time83.8%
Failed or needed repairs16.2%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,353 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.3%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%
  3. Headlamp levelling device: inoperative1.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
    25 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.9%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.9%
  7. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.8%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.8%
  10. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics7.5%
  2. Brakes6.7%
  3. Suspension4.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks3.3%
  5. Tyres3.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.2%
  8. Body & chassis1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine4.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2003 m3All m3 years2005 m3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW m3?

In 2024, 83.8% of 2004 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,353 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; headlamp levelling device: inoperative. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 148, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).