2013 BMW 3 Series · 130,370 MOT tests
2013 BMW 3 Series reliability
2013 BMW 3 Seriess fail 23.5% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 25 3 Series years (130,370 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 23.5%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 28% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- 94,713
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 130,370
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2013 against the years either side
- 2012 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does better)
- 2014 cars: 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.1% of tests fail here (120% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2013 car carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
Common problems
What fails on a 2013 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.5%
- Tyres7.3%
- Suspension4.9%
- Brakes4.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%
- Wheels1.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.78%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.36%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.77%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.7%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.51%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.29%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.1%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (6.67%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.43%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.36%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (3.21%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (2.67%)
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 2013 BMW 3 Series reliable?
2013 BMW 3 Seriess fail 23.5% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 25 3 Series years (130,370 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2013 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.78% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.36% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (1.77% of tests).
How many miles should a 2013 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 10, a typical 2013 BMW 3 Series shows 94,713 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2013 car?
A car first registered in 2013 carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
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