CarCostCheck

BMW 3 (2013)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1990cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1990cc13 years old37 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1990cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1990cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 13 years old, 86% of BMW 3s from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 79,004 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 cars259th of 626(top 41%)
Rank among BMW models1110th of 1,564(top 71%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2013 cars average+6%(80% avg)
vs BMW average-2%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,004

Average miles

vs

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2013 BMW 3 has 79,004 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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BMW 3 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201487%11471,139 mi
201386%3779,004 mi
200991%34101,097 mi

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About the 2013 BMW 3

The 2013 BMW 3 is a premium with a 1990cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 79,004 miles at 13 years old, BMW 3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2013 BMW 3 Fuel Costs

The 1990cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2013 BMW 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2013 BMW 3

At 13 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 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2013 BMW 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 13 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

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 2013 BMW 3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 3(2013)86%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FOCUS(2013)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2013)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)88%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£370
MERCEDES C(2012)79%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£30

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.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw 3.

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