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MOT History from tests of petrol BMW BMWs year 2004

Review the list of common BMW BMW failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:76.71%
(The average a petrol BMW BMW year 2004 passes without issue)
Based on:1,052 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment37
Registration plate lamp issues21
Brake pipe excessively corroded18
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|17
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively16
Registration plate issues12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort9
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|7
Brakes imbalanced across an axle6
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|4
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|4
Brake hose excessively deteriorated4
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Headlamp insecure |1.2.3b|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive |7.3.D.4|2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|2
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))2
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|2
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|2
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|2
Horn not working |1.6.2a|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Offside Rear Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|1
Offside Rear reflector missing |1.5.1a|1
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam |1.2.2a|i||1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6|1
Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|1
Rear fog lamp switch missing |1.3.1a|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|1
Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Inner Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (ii))1
Brake performance not tested due to fluid leak (1.2.1 (g))1
Windscreen has damage1
Nearside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |8.2.1.2 |c||1
Nearside Rear Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Front Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working 501 |1.1.A.3b|1
Power steering component leaking |2.1.5 |a||1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing |5.2.1b|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| incomplete |1.1.4a|1
Vehicle Identification Number has more than one different number displayed |6.3.5.b|1
Nearside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Windscreen wiper blade insecure1
Nearside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Direction indicators missing |1.4.A.2b|1
Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Front Side repeater insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Front Electrical wiring damaged, likely to become detached |1.9.2b|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released |1.3.1e|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Bonnet retaining device ineffective |8.4.2|1
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g))1
Nearside Front Steering column shaft has excessive end float |2.1.3|1
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Inner Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Inner Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rose joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Emissions not tested severe misfire (8.2.1.2 (d))1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Outer Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Inner Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement front bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative |1.7.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative |1.7.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp cleaning device inoperative |1.7.2|1
Offside Front Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Nearside Front Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Position lamp not working outer (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Nearside Inner Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Outer Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Rear Inner Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))1
Offside Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)1
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|1
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault |3.4.1c|1
Parking brake lever pawl spring does not push the pawl positively into the ratchet teeth |3.1.5|1
Electronic stability system warning lamp missing. WARNING ACTIVE |3.4.1a|1
Brake vacuum build up too slow no servo power |3.3.E.6|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint drop link bar |2.4.G.2|1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel PARKING BRAKE WARNING ACTIVE |3.1.6b|1
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush rearmost |2.4.G.2|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.5.1c|1
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault |7.1.6 |a||1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |1.1.12 |b| |ii||1
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |1.1.12 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Offside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Front Steering headbearing has excessive free play |2.2.2|1
Front Steering headbearing has excessive wear or free play |2.2.2 |f| |i||1
Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Central Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect dip beam (4.1.2 (c))1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working upper & lower position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Central Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release seat belt jammed & will not pull out |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Brake stationary pin locking device missing |3.5.1l|1
Offside Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Power steering malfunctioning |2.3.3a|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Brake servo vacuum pipe deteriorated |3.6.C.1b|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|1
Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush d bushs |2.4.G.2|1
Front Brake hose excessively damaged both |3.6.B.4d|1
Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush both |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Rear brake application uneven1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|1
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|1
Offside Front Brake back plate|s| securing device excessively deteriorated |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| obscured more than 50% |1.1.A.3c|1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Front brake application uneven1
Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released |1.3.1e|1
Front Steering linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction |8.2.1.2 |h||1
Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine excessive smoke |8.2.2.2 |b||1
Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii))1
Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened SUBFRAME HOLED (5.3.3 (b) (i))1
Offside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Electronic stability system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|1
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush |5.3.4 |a| |i||1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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