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BMW M3 E46 (2001-2006) reliability

At a glance

BMW M3 E46 built around 2003: about average at the MOT

BMW M3 E46 models built around 2003 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a BMW M3 E46?

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

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on BMW M3 E46 models built around 2003 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW M3 E46 models built around 2003 involves the brakes.

BMW M3 E46
excellent reliability2001-2006SaloonPETROL

Based on 6,799 tests of M3 models registered 2001-2006.

About 1 in 20 M3 E46 MOTs (5.7%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2003 (22 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,882 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 30 M3 E46 MOTs (3.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2003 (22 years old).

Based on 1,882 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

E46 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1429.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78612.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,18513.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,80814.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,88215.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
86317.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
13315.8%

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 23 years old.

How the M3 E46 compares

At each age below, see how the M3 E46 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 18,586 tests across 8 BMW models, built around 2003 (22 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1429.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78612.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,18513.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,80814.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,88215.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
86317.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
13315.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

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.

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 M3 E46.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.6%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 E46 on these figures.

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

    1,214 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  2. 2

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 E46 on these figures.

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

    3,000 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Passat

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.2%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 E46 on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,340 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  4. 4

    Jaguar X-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.6%
    Dangerous
    7.2%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 E46 on these figures.

    1,804 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

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

Not enough registration data to show this for the BMW M3.

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.

Recall context

29 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the BMW 3 Series, the model this one is based on.

12 of the 29 M3 E46 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 8 more

Top concerns

  • Variation to electrical resistance in the blower regulator wiring harness connector
  • Drivers airbag may deploy incorrectly
  • Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

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

What has gone wrong on M3 E46 cars built around 2003

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 337 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
70%
Emissions
18%
Steering
4%
Bodywork
3%

Wear items

Tyres
53%
Lighting
51%
Brakes
50%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 7% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How M3 E46 cars have aged

How M3 E46 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%1517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (279 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (270 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (255 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (244 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (251 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (673 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (621 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (596 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (577 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (549 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (1,086 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (1,019 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (940 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (913 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (875 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (1,492 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (1,400 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (1,290 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 15.3% (1,240 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (1,180 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 19.9% (878 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (833 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (706 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (705 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (654 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 18.3% (175 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (154 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (156 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (140 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (133 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
How each part holds up as E46 cars age

How each part holds up as E46 cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension68%70%70%63%
Brakes43%50%49%49%
Emissions16%18%16%12%
Tyres47%53%56%60%
Lighting48%51%49%53%
Drivetrain1%No figureNo figure2%
Bodywork2%3%No figure2%
Steering3%4%4%8%
Corrosion4%7%7%7%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 104 to 337 cars at each age.

E46 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW M3 models of this age

This list covers every BMW M3 built around 2003, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E46 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    12.3%
    Advisory: 305Fail: 18 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    10.7%
    Advisory: 299Fail: 22 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.0%
    Advisory: 171Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    6.8%
    Advisory: 187Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.3%
    Advisory: 149Fail: 28 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,882 tests

Looking at a BMW M3 E46?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2003 (22 years old), the BMW M3 E46 (2001-2006) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,882 22-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 6,799 MOT tests on BMW M3 models first registered between 2001-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.