BMW X3
Registered from 2003 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW X3 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 2003, based on the BMW 3 Series platform. BMW markets the car as a Sports Activity Vehicle, the company's proprietary descriptor for its X-line luxury vehicles.
From the Wikipedia article BMW X3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2019 2.0 diesel. 682 of 8,886 tests failed, 8%.
Better than 65% of 2019 cars. The typical one fails 9%, across 908 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 64% | 438 |
| Visibility | 14% | 98 |
| Brakes | 11% | 73 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 9% | 63 |
| Lights and electrics | 8% | 53 |
| Plates and identity | 2% | 13 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 64% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Brakes — 11% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 9% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 8% of its failures
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 14% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 10% of its inspections, against the 14% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 5% | 5% | 1,079 | |
| 20–40k miles | 7% | 9% | 5,062 | |
| 40–60k miles | 9% | 12% | 2,176 | |
| 60–80k miles | 9% | 14% | 403 | |
| 80–100k miles | 10% | 14% | 72 |
8,792 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k 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 · 2072 kg · 2864 mm wheelbase · 11.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 diesel · 145 hp · 1790 kg · 2864 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 145 hp · 1750 kg · 2864 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 diesel · 228 hp · 1840 kg · 2864 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 187 hp · 1819 kg · 2821 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 186 hp · 1817 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 186 hp · 1815 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 183 hp · 1809 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 180 hp · 1798 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 1800 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 1800 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 2.0 diesel · 1811 kg · 2805 mm wheelbase · 6.1 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
A12/00608/20
The screw connection from the passenger's airbag to the instrument panel may not have been manufactured according to specifications.As a result, if the airbag is activated, the panel cover may break into pieces, which will be propelled against the passenger increasing the risk of injury.
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
A12/00988/23
The driver's and/or passenger's seat could break the frame rail that connects the seat to the guide rails on the vehicle floor. The stability of the seats may be affected, increasing the risk of injury in case 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
A12/01377/22
Defects in the winding of cell-internal foils in the high-voltage batteries can lead to the occurrence of increased self-discharge. This can cause high voltage cell modules to overheat, 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
24 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.