2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 BMW X3 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,126 MOT tests in 2024. 63.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time63.9%
Failed or needed repairs36.1%
Typical mileage at test121,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,126 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.9%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    95 marked dangerous
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.9%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.1%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
    61 marked dangerous
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.9%
  10. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics18.0%
  2. Suspension16.0%
  3. Brakes13.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  6. Tyres6.7%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.6%
  8. Body & chassis4.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine34.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All X3 years2005 X3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW X3?

In 2024, 63.9% of 2004 BMW X3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,126 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 BMW X3?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 BMW X3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).