Used car guide

2004 BMW 1 Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 BMW 1 Seriess, from 113 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 113 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

113MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,000typical miles a year
45%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2004 BMW 1 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    41% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    35% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    19% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults
    Some cars

    Faults to have been fixed: loose rear control arm joints (built May to Sept 2004), a leaking brake servo seal (built March 2006) and airbag and seatbelt wiring (built May to July 2008).

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding work.

    Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

Looking at a BMW 1 Series?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201915,113Tyres 26%
201812,251Tyres 26%
20177,436Tyres 24%
20162,757Tyres 22%
20151,530Tyres 22%
20142,004Tyres 24%
201315,070Tyres 32%
201212,795Tyres 32%
20112,309Tyres 33%
20101,902Tyres 36%
20091,635Brakes 38%
20081,142Brakes 43%
2007766Brakes 47%
2006484Brakes 48%
2005447Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 BMW 1 Seriess registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score