MOT fail rates by first-use year
2004 BMW X3 MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW X3 cars first used in 2004 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 9,740 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 21 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 21 years old, BMW X3 cars first used in 2004 failed 36.3% of MOTs (1,728 tests), 5.7 points below the 42.1% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 18 to 21 years old, the fail rate moved from 36.6% to 36.3%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW X3 at 21 years, is engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault, at 6.7 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.4).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 18 years | 36.6% | 3,177 | 43.3% | −6.7 pts |
| 2023 | 19 years | 38.6% | 2,669 | 43.2% | −4.6 pts |
| 2024 | 20 years | 35.7% | 2,166 | 42.8% | −7.1 pts |
| 2025 | 21 years | 36.3% | 1,728 | 42.1% | −5.7 pts |
Most common faults at 21 years
These figures cover all BMW X3 MOTs at 21 years: cars first used in 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=1,729). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault | 6.7 | 2.4 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 4.0 | 1.2 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 3.1 | 3.7 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 2.6 | 3.5 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 2.6 | 4.9 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 2.5 | 1.4 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 2.1 | 2.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=1,729). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 39.3 | 14.8 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 18.7 | 14.8 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 9.3 | 5.4 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.3 | 10.4 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 9.0 | 10.4 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 8.7 | 7.2 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 5.4 | 8.1 |
| Headlamp: lens slightly defective Wear | 5.3 | 3.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=1,729). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 21 years
These figures cover all BMW X3 MOTs at 21 years: cars first used in 2004, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=1,729). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 89.4% | 36.0% | 1,541 | 41.7% | 118,246 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2004 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2004 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2004 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- Hybrids follow the Euro standard of their petrol or diesel engine.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the BMW X3
Other BMW models first used in 2004
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 32.7% | 8,489 | 42.1% |
| BMW 5 Series (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 31.5% | 2,339 | 42.1% |
| BMW Z4 (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 30.1% | 2,917 | 42.1% |
| BMW X5 (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 36.4% | 2,227 | 42.1% |
| BMW 1 Series (2004) | 21 years in 2025 | 38.4% | 1,117 | 42.1% |
| BMW 6 Series (2004) | 20 years in 2024 | 27.5% | 1,083 | 42.8% |
More on the BMW X3
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2004 BMW X3 cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.