2014 BMW 3 Series · 119,548 MOT tests
2014 BMW 3 Series reliability
2014 BMW 3 Seriess fail 20.8% of first MOT tests, 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 25 3 Series years (119,548 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 20.8%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 31% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 9
- 89,366
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 9
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 119,548
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2014 against the years either side
- 2013 cars: 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2014 car does better)
- 2015 cars: 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2014 car does worse)
- Strong point: suspension, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2014 car carries a 63 plate (January–February 2014), or a 14 plate (March–August 2014), or a 64 plate (September–December 2014).
Common problems
What fails on a 2014 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.4%
- Tyres7%
- Brakes3.6%
- Suspension2.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.6%
- Wheels0.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.77%
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 2.38%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.44%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.38%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.33%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.33%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.08%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.87%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.35%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (4.09%) · Child seat limits belt inspection (2.67%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (2.56%)
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 2014 BMW 3 Series reliable?
2014 BMW 3 Seriess fail 20.8% of first MOT tests, 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 25 3 Series years (119,548 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2014 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.77% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.38% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (1.44% of tests).
How many miles should a 2014 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 9, a typical 2014 BMW 3 Series shows 89,366 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2014 car?
A car first registered in 2014 carries a 63 plate (January–February 2014), or a 14 plate (March–August 2014), or a 64 plate (September–December 2014).
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