2004 BMW 645 4.4L Petrol · RO04 MCD

An unblemished MOT record defines this 2004 BMW 645Ci: the two tests on file, dated 12 January 2022 and 3 January 2023, both resulted in clean passes with not a single advisory recorded. For a car of this age and complexity, that is a genuinely encouraging pattern, suggesting the major structural and safety-critical items inspected, including suspension components, braking system, steering, lighting, and structural integrity, were all in sound order at those points. However, a significant caveat must temper that optimism: the most recent test on record is now over three and a half years old, meaning the car's current MOT status cannot be confirmed from this history, and its condition since January 2023 is effectively undocumented. A prospective buyer should verify whether a valid certificate exists and, if the car has been off the road, treat the intervening period as unknown territory. The recorded mileage of 80,865 miles equates to roughly 3,676 miles per year over the car's 22-year life, which is well below the UK average. Such gentle accumulation typically means less wear on drivetrain components, suspension bushes, and brake hardware than a comparable high-mileage example, and the clean test results are consistent with that lighter use. The flip side of low annual mileage is the possibility of extended periods standing, which can be harder on a car than regular use: seals and gaskets can dry and weep, brake discs can develop surface corrosion and pitting, and cooling system hoses can perish with age regardless of distance covered. The gap in the test record after January 2023 raises the specific possibility that the car has seen little or no use recently, so evidence of recent running, servicing, and fluid changes should be sought. Given the absence of any flagged defects, buyer diligence should focus on the age-related weak points of this model that an MOT may not fully capture. On the 645Ci, particular attention should be paid to the N62 V8 engine's valve stem seals and timing chain guides, which are known wear items; listen for a brief puff of blue smoke on start-up or after idling, and for any rattling from the front of the engine at idle or on light throttle. Check for oil misting around the rocker covers and alternator bracket gasket, and inspect the coolant expansion tank and radiator hoses for seepage, as cooling system failures are a recognised vulnerability on these engines. On the road, exercise the suspension over uneven surfaces and listen for knocks or clonks that would indicate tired front control arm bushes or worn drop links, and feel for any steering shimmy under braking that could point to warped discs or degraded thrust arm bushes. Confirm the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly through all ratios without hesitation or flare, and test every electrical function, since the E63 generation is known for occasional electronic and battery drain issues. Finally, given the three-year documentation gap, a fresh MOT and an independent pre-purchase inspection, ideally including a diagnostic scan and a check of the underside for corrosion around the jacking points and subframes, would be a prudent investment before committing.