BMW 745 (2004)
2004 BMW 745
CarHunch analysed 173 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 745. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 BMW 745 passes its MOT at almost exactly the UK average of 79.4%, which is reassuring on the surface—but nearly 36% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point, a significantly elevated figure that demands serious scrutiny from any buyer. This is a car that, when it fails, fails badly: owners face an average of 3.38 failures per test and a notably high 16.5 advisories, suggesting widespread component wear rather than isolated issues.
At around 88,000 miles on average, these 745s show reasonable mileage for their age, but the sheer volume of advisory items tells you this is a high-maintenance luxury sedan where costs compound quickly. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the cooling system, suspension, and electrical architecture—the areas where these cars routinely bleed money—and budget for specialist servicing rather than high-street garages.
What to check before buying a 2004 BMW 745
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 35.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 745
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 170 | 79.5% | 3.38 |
| LPG (1%) | 2 | 72.6% | 4 |
| Diesel (1%) | 1 | 75% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 BMW 745 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 BMW 745 vehicles fall between 66,700 and 106,415 miles.
2004 BMW 745 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 31 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 BMW 745
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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92%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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80%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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45.5%
Oil leak
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45.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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45%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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41.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 745?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.