2004 BMW 120i: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 BMW 120i?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 BMW 120i than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
  BMW 120i

  33.1% All 2004 cars

  14.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Flexible brake hoses4× usual
  BMW 120i

  22.5% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  BMW 120i

  8% All 2004 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
  BMW 120i

  6.4% All 2004 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2004 BMW 120i MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 BMW 120i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  43% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  35% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  28% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  24% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2004 BMW 120i

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults

  Some cars

  Faults to have been fixed: loose rear control arm joints (built May to Sept 2004), a leaking brake servo seal (built March 2006) and airbag and seatbelt wiring (built May to July 2008).

  At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding work.

  Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 BMW 120i

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 BMW 120i as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2004 BMW 120i as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2004 BMW 120i as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?