2004 BMW 1 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 BMW 1 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 BMW 1 Series than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Flexible brake hoses3.4× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  19.1% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, 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.

• Shock absorbers2.4× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  15.9% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Individual direction indicators3.1× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  10.4% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.5% 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.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2004 BMW 1 Series MOT failures and advisories

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
  43% 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
  43% 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
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  25% 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.

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

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

Known faults on the 2004 BMW 1 Series

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 BMW 1 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2004 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2004 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2004 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?