BMW 3 SERIES Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 38,764 MOT tests from 2,498 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 3 SERIES has the same fault.

BMW 3 SERIES's have a very good reliability rating of 639/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 3 SERIES that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the BMW 3 SERIES.

BMW 3 SERIES (example)

Check a BMW 3 Series before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	880/999Excellent	110,060 miles	816 vehicles
N/A	N/A	858/999Excellent	90,186 miles	1,155 vehicles
N/A	N/A	760/999Very good	87,916 miles	1,667 vehicles
N/A	N/A	752/999Very good	75,546 miles	774 vehicles
N/A	N/A	752/999Very good	75,014 miles	851 vehicles
N/A	N/A	749/999Very good	81,340 miles	5,851 vehicles
N/A	N/A	746/999Very good	90,156 miles	2,507 vehicles
N/A	N/A	740/999Very good	76,111 miles	632 vehicles
N/A	N/A	730/999Very good	91,011 miles	3,335 vehicles
N/A	N/A	720/999Very good	79,906 miles	12,808 vehicles
N/A	N/A	659/999Good	81,172 miles	24,002 vehicles
N/A	N/A	628/999Good	83,430 miles	4,689 vehicles
N/A	N/A	619/999Good	81,047 miles	26,374 vehicles
N/A	N/A	594/999Above average	83,186 miles	4,025 vehicles
N/A	N/A	526/999Above average	82,203 miles	9,865 vehicles
N/A	N/A	512/999Above average	84,027 miles	7,222 vehicles
N/A	N/A	455/999Average	85,942 miles	8,247 vehicles
N/A	N/A	442/999Average	85,825 miles	16,053 vehicles
N/A	N/A	441/999Average	82,532 miles	11,297 vehicles
N/A	N/A	428/999Average	93,388 miles	3,651 vehicles
N/A	N/A	424/999Average	86,507 miles	6,262 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 3 SERIES?

Based on 38,764 MOT tests from 2,498 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

2,498

MOT tests

38,764

Pass rate

79.9%

Median mileage

110,490 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 3 SERIES has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 605 out of 999.

Common BMW 3 SERIES MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6,696 advisory comments and 932 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,554 advisory comments and 103 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,273 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 493 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 471 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 465 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 353 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 152 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

BMW 3 SERIES MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2020	18	85	84.7%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2019	92	530	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	61	413	88.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	24	179	87.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	172	1578	86.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	186	1841	86%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	160	1805	83.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	205	2651	81%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	202	2898	80.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	170	2577	81.6%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2010	153	2517	80.8%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2009	161	2879	79.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	144	2764	79.3%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2007	159	3167	79.9%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2006	112	2378	78.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	82	1904	75.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2004	63	1524	77.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	70	1667	75.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2002	65	1542	75.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2001	38	952	72.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2000	17	422	73.9%	Corrosion, Windscreen damage
1999	20	413	71.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1998	17	378	75.7%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1997	16	318	80.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1996	8	143	70.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1995	8	123	75.6%	Corrosion, Anti-roll bar issues
1993	5	57	75.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
1990	5	60	85%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
1989	6	51	74.5%	Corrosion, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used BMW 3 SERIES

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a BMW 3 SERIES?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 3 SERIESs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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