Used car guide

2005 BMW 645: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 BMW 645s, from 460 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 460 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

460MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 BMW 645s than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    BMW 645
    31.3% All 2005 cars
    14.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.8% here, against 10.8% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 BMW 645 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% 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
    32% 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
    31% 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
    24% 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
    18% 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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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004974Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 BMW 645s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score