2000 BMW 3 Series · 11,623 MOT tests
2000 BMW 3 Series reliability
2000 BMW 3 Seriess fail 36.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 3 Series years (11,623 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 36.1%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 22
- 111,157
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 22
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,623
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2000 against the years either side
- 1999 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2000 car does better)
- 2001 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2000 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 58% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 2000 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.9%
- Suspension14.6%
- Brakes13.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%
- Tyres5.5%
- Seat belts and airbags5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.18%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.12%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.03%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.71%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.5%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.33%
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 (19.24%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.61%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.43%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.54%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.18%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.11%)
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 2000 BMW 3 Series reliable?
2000 BMW 3 Seriess fail 36.1% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 3 Series years (11,623 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2000 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.18% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.12% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.03% of tests).
How many miles should a 2000 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 22, a typical 2000 BMW 3 Series shows 111,157 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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