2004 Bmw 1 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,176 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Bmw 1 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 75.0% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.7% in the 150k+ group versus 4.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 1,704 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 1,536 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 1,290 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 944 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 869 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.7% | 755 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,001 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 793 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 699 |
| 4 | Washers | 675 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 665 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 656 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.1% | 5,554 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 3,996 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.7% | 3,917 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 2,666 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 2,201 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.3% | 1,623 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 67 | 4.5% |
| 30-60k | 682 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,028 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,488 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 3,494 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 3,407 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,084 | 27.0% |
| Petrol | 6,092 | 22.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,070 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 3,298 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 2,568 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 1,877 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 1,363 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 1 Series
Before buying a 2004 Bmw 1 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Bmw 1 Seriess pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 13,176 2004 Bmw 1 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Bmw 1 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 2004 1 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,176 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.