2004 BMW 5 Series · 13,157 MOT tests
2004 BMW 5 Series reliability
2004 BMW 5 Seriess fail 34.7% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 24 5 Series years (13,157 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 34.7%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 144,101
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,157
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.3% of tests fail here (107% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 81% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Suspension14.5%
- Lights and electrics14%
- Brakes10.4%
- Seat belts and airbags7.3%
- Tyres7.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 5.65%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.69%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.32%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.13%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.8%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.8%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (20.05%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.66%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.3%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (14.16%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.59%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (5.35%)
Other years
Every BMW 5 Series year
The full picture: BMW 5 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 5 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2004 BMW 5 Seriess fail 34.7% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 24 5 Series years (13,157 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (5.65% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.69% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.32% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 BMW 5 Series shows 144,101 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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