1999 BMW 3 Series · 13,084 MOT tests
1999 BMW 3 Series reliability
1999 BMW 3 Seriess fail 34.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 3 Series years (13,084 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 34.6%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 110,467
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,084
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- 2000 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6.3% of tests fail here (73% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.2%
- Suspension13.5%
- Brakes11.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.4%
- Seat belts and airbags6.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%
- Tyres4.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.44%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.56%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.38%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.89%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.74%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.72%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.55%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.54%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.84%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.99%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.84%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (5.56%)
Other years
Every BMW 3 Series year
The full picture: BMW 3 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 3 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1999 BMW 3 Series reliable?
1999 BMW 3 Seriess fail 34.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 3 Series years (13,084 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.44% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.56% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (2.38% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 BMW 3 Series shows 110,467 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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