BMW 3 Series
Registered from 1990 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 3 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2012 2.0 diesel. 6,663 of 32,797 tests failed, 20%.
Better than 52% of 2012 cars. The typical one fails 21%, across 925 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 42% | 2,777 |
| Tyres and wheels | 37% | 2,446 |
| Suspension | 36% | 2,423 |
| Brakes | 23% | 1,501 |
| Visibility | 12% | 810 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6% | 416 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 37% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 36% of its failures
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 23% of its failures
- Exhaust and emissions — 6% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 42% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 12% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 20% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 12% | 10% | 52 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 13% | 428 | |
| 40–60k miles | 15% | 17% | 1,705 | |
| 60–80k miles | 18% | 21% | 4,059 | |
| 80–100k miles | 20% | 23% | 6,659 | |
| 100–120k miles | 21% | 25% | 7,158 | |
| 120–140k miles | 21% | 25% | 5,513 | |
| 140–160k miles | 22% | 26% | 3,582 | |
| 160–180k miles | 24% | 26% | 2,058 | |
| 180–200k miles | 23% | 25% | 936 | |
| 200k+ miles | 20% | 24% | 637 |
32,787 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0 petrol · 251 hp · 1700 kg · 2851 mm wheelbase · 6.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 2.0 hybrid · 181 hp · 1949 kg · 2851 mm wheelbase · 1.7 L/100km (WLTP) · 177 Wh/km |
| 2020 | 2.0 hybrid · 181 hp · 1948 kg · 2851 mm wheelbase · 1.6 L/100km (WLTP) · 178 Wh/km |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 188 hp · 1686 kg · 2851 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 diesel · 162 hp · 1629 kg · 2826 mm wheelbase · 6.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 159 hp · 1594 kg · 2832 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 217 hp · 1635 kg · 2845 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1625 kg · 2846 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 159 hp · 1519 kg · 2798 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 151 hp · 1501 kg · 2804 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 162 hp · 1553 kg · 2781 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 156 hp · 1538 kg · 2760 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00017/19
The gas generator on the driver side airbag could burst in the event of airbag activation if it had been exposed to high air humidity, high temperatures and considerable temperature fluctuations over several years. This could result in metal parts being discharged, increasing the risk of injury of the vehicle occupants. No information
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00441/24
A defect on the cylinder head cover could allow oil to leak and spread through the engine compartment, creating a risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00636/20
The cable connecting the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be too short.Consequently, the sensor might detach from the buckle, causing a faulty seatbelt lock recognition, impairing the functioning of the restraint system and the deployment of the airbag, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00637/24
The driver's airbag inflator propellant may deteriorate over time. If activated during an accident, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to burst, and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00783/23
The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00868/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00976/22
The micro gas generator inside the seat belt retractor may not have been manufactured to specifications. This may lead to an impairment of the restraint function in case of an accident, increasing the risk of injury. Moreover, there may be spark formation in case of a pressure release outside of the inflator damaged tube, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
25 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.