How much does a 2004 BMW 1 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW 1 SERIES?

The 2004 BMW 1 SERIES has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 331 tests in 2026. This ranks 280 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year BMW 1 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2020 BMW 1 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 99%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 72%.

BMW 1 SERIES (2004)

Q: Is the 2004 BMW 1 SERIES reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 331 tests. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 BMW 1 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2004 BMW 1 SERIES is 127,703 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 331 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Diesel1995cc22 years old331 tests128k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,857

Per month£155/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 22 years old, 72% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 331 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 127,703 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars280th of 491(top 57%)

Rank among BMW models1527th of 1,564(top 98%)

vs national average-10%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+0%(72% avg)

vs BMW average-16%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

127,703

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 BMW 1 SERIES has 127,703 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

BMW 1 SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	100%	30	56,153 mi
2020	99%	68	34,205 mi
2019	91%	32,819	41,619 mi
2018	92%	27,965	50,440 mi
2017	92%	19,053	56,121 mi
2016	92%	7,706	60,320 mi
2015	92%	4,010	67,427 mi
2014	90%	5,135	76,509 mi
2013	84%	34,105	93,913 mi
2012	82%	29,741	97,892 mi
2011	82%	5,252	97,748 mi
2010	80%	4,356	109,865 mi
2009	79%	3,810	113,355 mi
2008	80%	2,841	117,331 mi
2007	78%	1,973	120,685 mi
2006	77%	1,195	136,390 mi
2005	73%	1,066	137,675 mi
2004	72%	331	127,703 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2006 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

same

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2005 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,795/year

69%

-3%

HONDA CIVIC

2006 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,050/year

71%

-1%

AUDI A3

2006 · 1595cc Diesel

£1,595/year

73%

+1%

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About the 2004 BMW 1 SERIES

The 2004 BMW 1 SERIES is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 331 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 127,703 miles at 22 years old, BMW 1 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 BMW 1 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2004 BMW 1 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 1 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 1 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 BMW 1 SERIES

At 22 years old, the BMW 1 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 BMW 1 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 128k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 BMW 1 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 1 SERIES(2004)	72%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2006)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2005)	69%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1795-£62
HONDA CIVIC(2006)	71%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£193
AUDI A3(2006)	73%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£262

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.