Used car guide

2004 BMW 316: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 BMW 316s, from 506 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

506MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 BMW 316s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    BMW 316
    37% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
    BMW 316
    12.8% All 2004 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.3× usual
    BMW 316
    8.5% All 2004 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Headlights: 4.9% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 BMW 316 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% 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.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a BMW 316?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017747Tyres 28%
2015684Tyres 30%
20141,469Tyres 31%
20131,219Tyres 30%
2003550Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 BMW 316s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score