2004 BMW X3 3.0L Petrol · W18 LAU
2004 BMW X3 (3.0L, petrol). First registered 29 Oct 2004. Recorded mileage 103,172 miles. MOT valid until 29 Aug 2027. No outstanding manufacturer safety recalls recorded.
- Make & Model
- BMW X3
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Exeter
- Safety Recall
- None Outstanding
- MOT Status
- Valid until 29 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 103,172 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
W18 LAU Key Findings
- 26 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 20/08/2026
- 103,172 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 9 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (12 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
W18 LAU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
26 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 BMW X3 (W18 LAU) between October 2007 and August 2026.
The record contains 19 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 20 August 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 7 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (12 issues), Brakes (10 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Windscreen (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 46 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed 255/4518 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”; “Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
W18 LAU Mileage History
- 26/10/200718,118 mi
- 24/09/200824,214 mi+6,096 mi
- 25/09/200928,680 mi+4,466 mi
- 16/09/201035,087 mi+6,407 mi
- 23/09/201141,626 mi+6,539 mi
- 26/09/201247,297 mi+5,671 mi
- 26/09/201247,297 mi
- 20/09/201352,178 mi+4,881 mi
- 24/09/201352,178 mi
- 17/09/201458,056 mi+5,878 mi
- 22/09/201563,394 mi+5,338 mi
- 20/09/201666,743 mi+3,349 mi
- 15/09/201770,833 mi+4,090 mi
- 15/09/201770,833 mi
- 25/09/201874,456 mi+3,623 mi
- 19/09/201977,750 mi+3,294 mi
- 20/09/201977,750 mi
- 17/09/202079,859 mi+2,109 mi
- 17/09/202079,859 mi
- 31/08/202282,754 mi+2,895 mi
- 21/08/202388,689 mi+5,935 mi
- 08/08/202493,329 mi+4,640 mi
- 08/08/202493,329 mi
- 09/08/202597,916 mi+4,587 mi
- 20/08/2026103,172 mi+5,256 mi
- 20/08/2026103,172 mi
Average of roughly 4,520 miles per year across 26 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for BMW X3 (E83)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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BMW X3 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
- Transfer Case Actuator GearModerate
A fibre-reinforced plastic nylon gear inside the xDrive transfer case (ATC400) actuator motor strips its teeth. The 4WD system cannot engage, triggering the "trifecta" of 4x4, ABS, and Brake dash warning lights.
- Rear Coil Springs SnappingModerate
The stiff barrel-shaped rear coil springs frequently fracture at the bottom pigtail taper due to road grit trapped in the lower control arm cups and harsh UK speed humps.
- Panoramic Roof FailureSerious
The complex dual-pane panoramic glass sunroof mechanism suffers from broken plastic lifter tabs that cause the rear venting panel to jam open. Blocked drain tubes also route water into boot electronics and footwells.
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