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BMW 3 Series reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present3 named generationsexecutive saloonSaloonPETROL / DIESEL / UNKNOWN / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

BMW 3 Series built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW 3 Series models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW 3 Series by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on BMW 3 Series models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 3 Series models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW 3 Series's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 3 Series's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

3 Series G20/G21

G20/G21 (2019-present)

Average
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICUNKNOWNPETROL

11.5% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 24,740 MOT tests at this ageView details →
3 Series F30/F31/F34

F30/F31/F34 (2012-2018)

Excellent
DIESELHYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

14.2% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 15,353 MOT tests at this ageView details →
3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93

E90/E91/E92/E93 (2005-2011)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

24.3% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 31,888 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

22.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 17,892 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW 3 Series.

See every build year for the BMW 3 Series

Side-by-side

BMW 3 Series generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G20/G21 (2019-present)
Average
Average11.5%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 24,740 MOT tests at this age
F30/F31/F34 (2012-2018)
Excellent
Excellent14.2%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 15,353 MOT tests at this age
E90/E91/E92/E93 (2005-2011)
Excellent
Excellent24.3%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 31,888 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating22.8%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 17,892 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 3 Series, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW 3 Series fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW 3 Series ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
15,62212.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
21,73111.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
23,90211.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
27,40111.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
31,26813.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
36,16014.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
38,07115.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
38,21218.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
41,95420.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
42,21023.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
37,51624.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
31,88824.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
29,20425.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
24,37025.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
27,28925.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
25,00125.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
16,81726.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
10,81626.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
11,08425.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
10,86126.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
7,40125.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
4,46626.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
17,89222.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW 3 Series stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

11th of 16

11th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other saloons

12th of 29

12th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

13.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW 3 Series models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW 3 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.5%
    Advisory: 9,656Fail: 842 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.8%
    Advisory: 3,388Fail: 426 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    6.5%
    Advisory: 2,125Fail: 431 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.8%
    Advisory: 1,462Fail: 977 (40% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.7%
    Advisory: 2,490Fail: 38 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 31,268 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW 3 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW 3 Series models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres34%
  2. Suspension + Tyres22%
  3. Other + Tyres19%
  4. Brakes + Suspension16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 6,723 MOT tests on BMW 3 Series cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

90%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

115 recalls in all

61 of the 115 BMW 3 Series recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 15 Critical
  • 46 more

Top concerns

  • Replace the driver’s airbag – Takata PSDI-5
  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    No clear edge over the BMW 3 Series on these figures.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.7%, against 5.8% for the BMW 3 Series.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    No clear edge over the BMW 3 Series on these figures.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    No clear edge over the BMW 3 Series on these figures.

    2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW 3 Series across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 11th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 31,268 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW 3 Series ever sold: 577,186 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 31,268 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.