CarVerify

Free Car Check

AV04 FDE

2004 BMW 3 Series

Black Diesel 1995cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Aug 2027
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

156,976 mi
Last recorded156,976 miles
Recorded on6 Aug 2026
Typical for 2004 BMW 3 Series89,350 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationAV04 FDE
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year2004
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,995cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 6 Aug 2026 156,976 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

both front outer wing edges corroded (covered)

parking brake efficiency just met requirements requires repair/adjustment

Pass 1 Aug 2025 153,932 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 2 Aug 2024 153,597 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Both front wings corroded

Direction indicator slightly discoloured Both rear (4.4.3 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 26 Jun 2023 146,091 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 20 Jun 2023 146,090 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 28 Jun 2022 137,363 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust rear silencer heat shield insecure

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.6mm (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 20 Jun 2022 137,346 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Front pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Exhaust rear silencer heat shield insecure

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2.6mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 19 Mar 2021 133,131 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear heat shield loose

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Mar 2020 132,868 miles
Pass 15 Mar 2019 131,642 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases down pipe (6.1.2 (a))

heat shield loose at the rear

Fail 15 Mar 2019 131,642 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases down pipe (6.1.2 (a))

heat shield loose at the rear

Pass 15 Mar 2018 127,159 miles

Front exhaust slight blow / blackness but cannot see properly due to covers

Pass 23 Mar 2017 122,716 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2016 118,986 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 4 Mar 2016 118,986 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 Mar 2015 109,911 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2014 103,358 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2013 96,691 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2012 89,190 miles

Centre brake light removed at time of test.

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 16 Mar 2012 89,190 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 12 Mar 2011 78,122 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

front tyres wearing and stepping

nsr tyre worn on inner edge

rear brake pipes corroded

Fail 11 Mar 2011 78,122 miles

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

front tyres wearing and stepping

nsr tyre worn on inner edge

rear brake pipes corroded

Pass 29 Mar 2010 66,095 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

high level brake light working just (dull/dim in operation

osr brake readings lower than nsr readings overall readings OK

screw in nsf tyre.

Pass 26 Feb 2009 53,283 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

near side wiper blade starting to split

Pass 25 Feb 2008 41,174 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2007 28,757 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 3 Series?

Based on 12,840,406 MOT tests across 1,004,285 vehicles.

75.1%
Pass Rate
6,672
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,004,285
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 485,475
Brake pipe excessively corroded 323,327
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 253,205
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 185,099
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 182,360
Full BMW 3 Series reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

AV04 FDE is a 2004 BMW 3 Series in Black with a 1,995cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

Across all 2004 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.5% with a typical mileage of 89,350 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW 3 Series fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 485,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AV04 FDE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 3 Series typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 22 years old, this BMW 3 Series is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AV04 FDE?

You can check the full history of AV04 FDE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AV04 FDE registered?

AV04 FDE is a 2004 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 20 March 2004.

Is AV04 FDE safe to buy?

The MOT history for AV04 FDE shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AV04 FDE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on AV04 FDE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.