2004 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · UF04 BAM
2004 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 11 Jun 2004. Recorded mileage 107,971 miles. MOT expired on 29 Apr 2025. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2004
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 29 Apr 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 107,971 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.
UF04 BAM Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 01/05/2024
- 107,971 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 12 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
UF04 BAM 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 3 Series (UF04 BAM) between March 2022 and May 2024.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 01 May 2024 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (20 issues), Lighting (6 issues), Windscreen (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 26 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 Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”; “Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
UF04 BAM Mileage History
- 08/03/202298,641 mi
- 22/03/2023102,134 mi+3,493 mi
- 30/03/2023102,185 mi+51 mi
- 17/04/2024107,742 mi+5,557 mi
- 01/05/2024107,971 mi+229 mi
Average of roughly 4,341 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 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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DISCOVERY
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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