Used car guide

2004 BMW 645: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 BMW 645s, from 974 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

974MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 BMW 645s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    BMW 645
    34.1% 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    BMW 645
    19.1% All 2004 cars
    9.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Airbag warning light2.1× usual
    BMW 645
    3.4% All 2004 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.2% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars. Number plate lights: 2.3% here, against 8% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 BMW 645 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a BMW 645?

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 BMW 645s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score