Is the 2009 BMW 3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of BMW 3s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 34 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2009 BMW 3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,557 (£130/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 BMW 3?

The 2009 BMW 3 has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 34 tests in 2026. This ranks 58 out of 575 cars from 2009.

BMW 3 (2009)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2009 BMW 3?

The average mileage for a 2009 BMW 3 is 101,097 miles, which is in line with the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 34 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,557

£130/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1557/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Diesel1995cc17 years old34 tests101k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,557

Per month£130/mo

Per week£30/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

At 17 years old, 91% of BMW 3s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 101,097 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars58th of 575(top 10%)

Rank among BMW models660th of 1,564(top 42%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 2009 cars average+16%(75% avg)

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

101,097

Average miles

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 BMW 3 has 101,097 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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BMW 3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	87%	114	71,139 mi
2013	86%	37	79,004 mi
2009	91%	34	101,097 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2011 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

78%

-13%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£1,727/year

74%

-17%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2010 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

74%

-17%

BMW 3 SERIES

2011 · 2000cc Diesel

£1,577/year

81%

-10%

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About the 2009 BMW 3

The 2009 BMW 3 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 34 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 10% of all 2009 cars for reliability.

With an average of 101,097 miles at 17 years old, BMW 3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2009 BMW 3 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2009 BMW 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,557 (£130/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2009 BMW 3

At 17 years old, the BMW 3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 BMW 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 101k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2009 BMW 3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 3(2009)	91%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1557
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2011)	78%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£170
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)	74%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727+£170
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)	74%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595+£38
BMW 3 SERIES(2011)	81%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1577+£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.