BMW M3
Registered from 1990 to 2023.
About this model
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
From the Wikipedia article BMW M3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2003 3.2 petrol. 289 of 2,220 tests failed, 13%.
Better than 97% of 2003 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 639 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 37% | 106 |
| Suspension | 32% | 93 |
| Lights and electrics | 31% | 89 |
| Tyres and wheels | 28% | 81 |
| Visibility | 17% | 49 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 16% | 45 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 92% of 2003 cars — 28% of its 289 failed tests, where an ordinary 2003 car has 13%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 37% of its failures
- Suspension — 32% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Tyres and wheels — 28% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 16% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 31% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Visibility — 17% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 13% of its inspections, against the 31% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 5% | 17% | 79 | |
| 40–60k miles | 9% | 22% | 179 | |
| 60–80k miles | 14% | 25% | 343 | |
| 80–100k miles | 12% | 28% | 509 | |
| 100–120k miles | 12% | 29% | 525 | |
| 120–140k miles | 17% | 30% | 348 | |
| 140–160k miles | 20% | 31% | 147 | |
| 160–180k miles | 13% | 31% | 46 |
2,176 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.0 petrol · 503 hp · 1858 kg · 2857 mm wheelbase · 10.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3.0 petrol · 453 hp · 1660 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 8.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 3.0 petrol · 1656 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 7.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 3.0 petrol · 462 hp · 1639 kg · 2768 mm wheelbase · 8.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 3.0 petrol · 431 hp · 1628 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 8.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 3.0 petrol · 425 hp · 1625 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 8.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 3.0 petrol · 425 hp · 1623 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 8.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 4.0 petrol · 414 hp · 1746 kg · 2761 mm wheelbase · 11.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 4.0 petrol · 414 hp · 1759 kg · 2761 mm wheelbase · 11.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 4.0 petrol · 414 hp · 1734 kg · 2761 mm wheelbase · 11.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 4.0 petrol · 1737 kg · 2761 mm wheelbase · 11.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00184/24
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
A12/00783/23
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
A12/01223/24
The accumulator in the driver/passenger head airbag inflator can leak, preventing the airbag to fully deploy if activated in an accident, impairing the protective effect of the airbag. Moreover, the accumulator can detach, entering the interior of the vehicle or becoming detached from the vehicle. This can lead to an increased risk of injury for passengers and/or other road users. 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
A12/01718/22
The front safety belt on the left side may be faulty. This can increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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
SR/00583/26
The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. 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
SR/00596/26
The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. 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
1 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.