Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 BMW 645?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 BMW 645?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 BMW 645?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 BMW 645 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 BMW 645 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,801 vehicles, the 2004 BMW 645 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 BMW 645?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 BMW 645 are: Oil leak, but not excessive (100.9% of vehicles), Oil leak (80.4% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (69.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 BMW 645?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 645 (2004)

2,801 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.7% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW 645

CarHunch analysed 2,801 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 645. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 BMW 645 sits right at the UK average with a 79.7% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 40.1% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above what you'd expect. This is a luxury performance car that's clearly punishing neglect, and buyers should factor in serious potential repair bills.

These 645s are running at modest mileage for their age (median 76,028 miles), yet they're still averaging 3.63 failures and 20.2 advisories per test, suggesting mechanical and wear issues are common even on low-mileage examples. Check the full service history carefully and budget for suspension, cooling, and electrical work—don't assume low miles means low risk on a 20-year-old BMW of this calibre.

The 2004 BMW 645 has a decent first-time pass rate (79.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

79.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.63

Over 16.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

76k

Middle half: 59k–93k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,801 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,801 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 100.9%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Oil leak · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · …

Tyre wear 69.4%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 40.7%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,801 BMW 645 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 BMW 645

Based on MOT data from 2,801 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	2,791	79.7%	3.63

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,904 BMW 645 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 39.9%

1,556

Grey 27.3%

1,067

Silver 21.3%

830

Blue 8.3%

323

White 2.1%

Red 0.9%

Green 0.2%

Orange 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW 645 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

76,028

typical

59,030

low mileage

92,659

high mileage

Half of all 2004 BMW 645 vehicles fall between 59,030 and 92,659 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,030 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 59,030–92,659 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 BMW 645s sit.

⚠ Over 125,089 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 BMW 645 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 42% of 2004 BMW 645s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 906 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (42% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.63

Avg failures per vehicle

20.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 645: All 645 years → Which year to buy? →

2005

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Compare with another model

See how the 2004 BMW 645 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing