2004 BMW X3 MOT pass rate: 71.0% (6,462 tests)
Is the 2004 X3 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69.4% +5.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 71.8% +7.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 72.3% +7.0 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 X3
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,361 | 23.5% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,011 | 17.5% |
| 3 | Brakes | 905 | 15.6% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 658 | 11.4% |
| 5 | Tyres | 532 | 9.2% |
| 6 | Visibility | 457 | 7.9% |
All X3 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (this page) | 6,462 | 71.0% | +6.6 pts | 120,873 |
| 2005 | 7,644 | 68.7% | +4.2 pts | 138,854 |
| 2006 | 9,073 | 71.3% | +6.9 pts | 134,562 |
| 2007 | 6,685 | 72.1% | +7.0 pts | 127,842 |
| 2008 | 4,421 | 75.2% | +10.0 pts | 119,622 |
| 2009 | 3,956 | 75.8% | +9.4 pts | 116,034 |
| 2010 | 2,664 | 78.5% | +11.1 pts | 111,070 |
| 2011 | 11,873 | 78.9% | +9.7 pts | 109,098 |
| 2012 | 20,203 | 76.6% | +5.4 pts | 103,208 |
| 2013 | 21,263 | 77.8% | +4.5 pts | 95,965 |
| 2014 | 18,110 | 79.6% | +3.8 pts | 88,108 |
| 2015 | 20,829 | 83.0% | +4.3 pts | 77,934 |
| 2016 | 26,722 | 83.7% | +2.3 pts | 66,708 |
| 2017 | 23,919 | 86.5% | +2.5 pts | 58,225 |
| 2018 | 24,050 | 90.0% | +3.7 pts | 46,001 |
| 2019 | 44,617 | 90.7% | +2.3 pts | 38,930 |
| 2020 | 15,648 | 90.6% | +0.6 pts | 31,338 |
| 2021 | 3,867 | 92.1% | +1.7 pts | 27,146 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: BMW X3 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 BMW X3 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 71.0% of their MOT tests (6,462 tests, 2023–2025), +6.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 120,873 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 X3?
The median tested example shows 120,873 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 X3?
In this cohort petrols pass 71.9% of tests against 63.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.