2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

282 MOT tests in 2024. 68.1% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

121Well above average
Passed first time68.1%
Failed or needed repairs31.9%
Typical mileage at test131,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 282 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.6%
  2. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    13 marked dangerous
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.2%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    7 marked dangerous
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.8%
  10. Position lamp: not working1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.0%
  2. Lights & electrics15.2%
  3. Brakes13.5%
  4. Tyres8.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.4%
  7. Seat belts & airbags6.0%
  8. Body & chassis1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.8%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 68.1% of 2004 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 282 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2004 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 121, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).