2004 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · LL53 CYE
2004 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 30 Jan 2004. Recorded mileage 94,405 miles. MOT expired on 14 Aug 2024. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 14 Aug 2024
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 94,405 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
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.
LL53 CYE Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 16/08/2023
- 94,405 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LL53 CYE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 BMW 3 Series (LL53 CYE) between January 2022 and August 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 16 August 2023 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 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: “Central Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”.
LL53 CYE Mileage History
- 04/01/202294,406 mi
- 08/01/202294,406 mi
- 16/08/202394,405 mi-1 mi
Average of roughly -1 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for BMW 3 Series (E46)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
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 3 SERIES 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.
- Cooling System OverhaulSerious
Expansion tanks, radiators, thermostats, and plastic-impeller-era water pumps fail with age. One overheating event can ruin the alloy straight-six.
- VANOS Seal WearModerate
The VANOS seals harden with age, flattening low-end torque and making the engine feel lethargic or uneven through the mid-range.
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