2002 BMW 3 Series · 32,163 MOT tests
2002 BMW 3 Series reliability
2002 BMW 3 Seriess fail 34.9% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 3 Series years (32,163 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 34.9%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 117,228
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 32,163
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.2% of tests fail here (22% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 72% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Brakes14.3%
- Lights and electrics13.5%
- Suspension13%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%
- Tyres6.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.4%
- Seat belts and airbags4.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.88%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.95%
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 2.69%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.64%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.2%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 2.18%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.5%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.38%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.14%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.11%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.72%)
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 2002 BMW 3 Series reliable?
2002 BMW 3 Seriess fail 34.9% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 3 Series years (32,163 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.88% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (2.95% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.69% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2002 BMW 3 Series shows 117,228 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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