Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 BMW 745?

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 745?

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 745?

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 745 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% 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 745 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 173 vehicles, the 2004 BMW 745 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.4%, 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 745?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 BMW 745 are: Oil leak, but not excessive (92% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (80% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (76% 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 745?

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 745 (2004)

173 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.4% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW 745

CarHunch analysed 173 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 745. 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 Compare Models

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.

We have limited data for the 2004 BMW 745 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

79.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.38

Over 14.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

85k

Middle half: 67k–106k

For context

These stats describe 173 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 173 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 92%

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

Tyre wear 80%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 29%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

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

Lighting 20.5%

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

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 173 BMW 745 cars.

Before you buy a 2004 BMW 745

Based on MOT data from 173 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.8% 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 (98%)	170	79.5%	3.38

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW 745 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.

84,963

typical

66,700

low mileage

106,415

high mileage

Half of all 2004 BMW 745 vehicles fall between 66,700 and 106,415 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 66,700 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.

✓ 66,700–106,415 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 BMW 745s sit.

⚠ Over 143,660 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 745 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 26% of 2004 BMW 745s are still active.

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.
* 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

14.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.38

Avg failures per vehicle

16.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 745: All 745 years → Which year to buy? →

2002 2003

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 BMW 745 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing