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

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 Alpina?

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 Alpina?

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 Alpina vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

32% 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 Alpina reliable?

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles, the 2004 BMW Alpina has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.6%, 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 Alpina?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 BMW Alpina are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.5% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (33.2% 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 Alpina?

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 Alpina (2004)

110 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.6% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW Alpina

CarHunch analysed 110 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW Alpina. 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2004 BMW ALPINA passes its MOT on the first attempt 83.6% of the time, slightly above the UK average of 80%, but the troubling figure here is that nearly one in three vehicles (31.8%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable levels and a genuine buyer concern. Petrol and diesel breakdowns aren't provided, but the headline is clear: this is a car that needs careful pre-purchase inspection.

With a median mileage of just under 66,000 miles for a 20-year-old car, these Alpinas have been relatively well looked after, yet they still average nearly 3 failures and over 16 advisories per test. This suggests the model has inherent weaknesses rather than simply poor ownership—the high advisory count hints at minor wear issues that accumulate over time. Before committing, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on braking systems and suspension, since dangerous defects on cars of this age often relate to safety-critical components.

We have limited data for the 2004 BMW Alpina — 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

83.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

31.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.94

Over 16.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

66k

Middle half: 44k–79k

For context

These stats describe 110 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 110 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 60.5%

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 29.2%

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

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

Other issues 26.5%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

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 110 BMW Alpina cars.

Before you buy a 2004 BMW Alpina

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31.8% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW Alpina 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.

65,736

typical

43,668

low mileage

78,540

high mileage

Half of all 2004 BMW Alpina vehicles fall between 43,668 and 78,540 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 43,668 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.

✓ 43,668–78,540 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 BMW Alpinas sit.

⚠ Over 106,029 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 Alpina — Still on the Road

Almost all 2004 BMW Alpinas are still on the road.

Strong survival — 73 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the 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

16.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.94

Avg failures per vehicle

16.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2000 2002 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

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Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing