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BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 (2005-2011) reliability

At a glance

BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 built around 2011: about average at the MOT

BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 models built around 2011 involves the tyres.

BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93
excellent reliability2005-2011SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 175,604 tests of 3 Series models registered 2005-2011.

About 1 in 15 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 MOTs (6.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 31,888 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 MOTs (7.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 31,888 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

E90/E91/E92/E93 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
14,90424.3%
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
6,13126.2%

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 20 years old.

How the 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 compares

At each age below, see how the 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 90,740 tests across 11 BMW models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
14,90424.3%
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
6,13126.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

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

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 24.3% for the BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93, both built around 2011.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,081 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.1%
    Dangerous
    6.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.6%, against 7.5% for the BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93.

    4,197 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.6%
    Dangerous
    6.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.8%, against 7.5% for the BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93.

    8,066 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Volvo S60

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.8%

    No clear edge over the BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 on these figures.

    1,849 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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.

How many are still registered

90%of all BMW 3 Series cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

19 of the 115 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 Critical
  • 10 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.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel 3 Series tests (not specific to E90/E91/E92/E93).

1.4 to 2.0 litres25.3%19,605 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres21.8%3,736 tests
How 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 cars have aged

How 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%101214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.2% (24,980 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (23,596 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (22,015 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (19,978 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (17,904 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (23,526 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (22,073 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (20,293 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (18,090 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (16,113 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (20,205 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (18,961 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (17,350 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (15,433 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (13,555 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (23,797 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (21,683 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (18,916 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (16,297 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (13,927 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (26,671 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (23,648 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (20,519 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (17,415 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (14,633 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (20,176 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (17,675 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (14,842 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (12,312 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (10,054 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (13,537 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (11,219 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (9,164 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (7,474 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (6,131 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008
E90/E91/E92/E93 variants compared

3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 variants built around 2011

The fail rate for each 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 3 SERIES24.8%22,977 tests
  • 31624.4%254 tests

Petrol

  • 3 SERIES23.1%8,301 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on BMW 3 Series models of this age

This list covers every BMW 3 Series built around 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E90/E91/E92/E93 on its own.

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

    25.5%
    Advisory: 11,619Fail: 1,103 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    15.5%
    Advisory: 4,627Fail: 1,567 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.5%
    Advisory: 5,504Fail: 1,083 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    11.7%
    Advisory: 3,798Fail: 65 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.6%
    Advisory: 3,164Fail: 466 (13% of the times it was found)

Based on 31,888 tests

Looking at a BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 (2005-2011) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 31,888 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 175,604 MOT tests on BMW 3 Series models first registered between 2005-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.