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Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

BMW 3 Series reliability

The BMW 3 Series fails 24.3% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,750,088 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 74/100#23 of 40 executive cars

Checking a BMW 3 Series before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
24.3%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
26% fewer
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
1,750,088
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
10,300
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

Across 1,750,088 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, the BMW 3 Series had a first-time MOT fail rate of 24.3%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 26% fewer MOT fails. It ranks 23 of 40 executive car models. The 2016 model year did best, with 38% fewer fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 1999 model year did weakest, with 11% fewer.

Wheels are the weak spot, with 117% more fails there than comparable cars. Check tyre tread first: below 1.6mm was the most common failure, at 2.3% of tests, and exposed ply or cords came in at 1.53%. Also check the shock absorbers for serious fluid leaks (2.17%) and test every light, including position lamps (2.03%). Before you buy, check the tyres, wheels, shock absorbers and lights.

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW 3 Series ages

Each point is the share of BMW 3 Seriess of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%12.5%25%37.5%50%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
BMW 3 SeriesAll cars
BMW 3 Series first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)BMW 3 SeriesAll cars
311.5%12.3%
411.2%14.1%
512.1%16.4%
613.6%19.1%
715.8%22.1%
818.6%25.5%
922.4%28.8%
1025.3%31.8%
1127.8%34.6%
1230%37.3%
1331.2%39.5%
1432%41.1%
1531.6%42.3%
1631.8%42.9%
1732.8%43.4%
1834.2%43.5%
1935.4%43.4%
2034.8%42.8%
2134.5%41.4%
2234%40.6%
2335.2%38.9%
2433.4%37.1%
2532.3%35.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW 3 Series years

2016 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW 3 Series MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 3 Series13,2159.6%30% fewer fails34,974
2020 3 Series44,85611.3%21% fewer fails36,531
2019 3 Series80,05911.4%24% fewer fails40,046
2018 3 Series91,07011.6%31% fewer fails46,992
2017 3 Series111,27612.6%37% fewer fails58,889
2016 3 Series116,64814.3%38% fewer fails68,448
2015 3 Series117,35816.9%36% fewer fails77,877
2014 3 Series119,54820.8%31% fewer fails89,366
2013 3 Series130,37023.5%28% fewer fails94,713
2012 3 Series124,08428.5%20% fewer fails102,794
2011 3 Series106,99429.1%24% fewer fails113,212
2010 3 Series99,30030.7%24% fewer fails116,511
2009 3 Series90,23732%23% fewer fails114,215
2008 3 Series92,08631.2%28% fewer fails119,065
2007 3 Series107,65731.5%28% fewer fails123,558
2006 3 Series80,22832.4%28% fewer fails130,305
2005 3 Series51,53634.4%23% fewer fails128,297
2004 3 Series40,71435.5%20% fewer fails117,012
2003 3 Series42,12835%21% fewer fails116,164
2002 3 Series32,16334.9%20% fewer fails117,228
2001 3 Series21,12836%15% fewer fails113,128
2000 3 Series11,62336.1%12% fewer fails111,157
1999 3 Series13,08434.6%11% fewer fails110,467
1998 3 Series8,97732.2%15% fewer fails116,354
1997 3 Series2,99433.6%11% fewer fails114,352
199675533.1%10% fewer fails112,032

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW 3 Series

Its weak spot is wheels: 117% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics8.9%37% below avg
  • Tyres7.1%1% above avg
  • Suspension6.5%44% below avg
  • Brakes6.3%26% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%36% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%36% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure1.2%74% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags1.1%22% below avg
  • Wheels1.1%117% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.3% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.17% of tests

    A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.

  3. 3

    Position lamp not working 2.03% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  4. 4

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.53% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.44% of tests

    The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.

  6. 6

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.31% of tests

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  7. 7

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.25% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  8. 8

    Headlamp aim set too low 1.14% of tests

    Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW 3 Series's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit14.69%
  • Brake pads wearing thin6.32%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored5.53%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive5.19%
  • Shock absorber light oil misting4.76%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.28%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW 3 Series

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Shock absorber serious fluid leak

    A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.

  3. 3

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  4. 4

    Tyre ply or cords exposed

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical BMW 3 Series covers about 10,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel61.8%
  • Petrol33.8%
  • Hybrid4.4%
  • LPG0%
  • Other0%
  • Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, Blue, Grey, White, Silver

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the BMW 3 Series compares with its rivals

BMW 3 Series against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Audi A620.1%36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series20.4%35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A519.7%30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class21%27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 3 Series24.3%26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A426.5%21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz C-Class24%18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW 3 Series questions, answered

Is the BMW 3 Series reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW 3 Series is better than average: it fails 24.3% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW 3 Series MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 3 Series are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.3% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (2.17% of tests), position lamp not working (2.03% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.9% of its tests.

Which BMW 3 Series year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW 3 Series do a year?

A typical BMW 3 Series covers about 10,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW 3 Series before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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