2004 BMW X3 2.5L Petrol · PY04 LOA
2004 BMW X3 (2.5L, petrol). First registered 26 Jun 2004. Recorded mileage 159,802 miles. MOT valid until 02 Apr 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW X3
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Carlisle
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 02 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 159,802 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- 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.
PY04 LOA Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 24/03/2026
- 159,802 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PY04 LOA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 BMW X3 (PY04 LOA) between February 2023 and March 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 24 March 2026 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: Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 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 Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))”; “Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))”.
PY04 LOA Mileage History
- 08/02/2023143,290 mi
- 12/02/2024149,961 mi+6,671 mi
- 04/04/2025152,514 mi+2,553 mi
- 24/03/2026159,800 mi+7,286 mi
- 24/03/2026159,802 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 5,289 miles per year across 5 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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