Is the Bmw 3 series reliable?

The Bmw 3 series has an average MOT pass rate of 83% across 32 years, based on 806,092 tests in 2026. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 93% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 3 series is best?

The 2021 Bmw 3 series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 77%. There's a 16 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 3 series

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 32 years from 806,092 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

83%

Total Tests

806,092

Best Year

2021 (93%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 3 series

The Bmw 3 series has been tested 806,092 times in 2026 MOT data across 32 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 83%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 93% pass rate from 908 tests. The 2001 model has the lowest at 77%. With a 16 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 3 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 122,194 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 28,473 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 3 series is 5 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Bmw 3 series?

vs national average+1% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-5% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread16 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 3 series by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	908	28,473 mi
2020	91%	7,526	41,101 mi
2019	91%	27,338	48,949 mi
2018	91%	19,475	56,573 mi
2017	90%	8,077	67,957 mi
2016	90%	48,559	80,506 mi
2015	88%	61,659	89,425 mi
2014	87%	63,059	101,192 mi
2013	85%	71,326	106,062 mi
2012	82%	68,955	111,893 mi
2011	81%	57,568	119,984 mi
2010	80%	52,791	122,709 mi
2009	80%	49,275	121,100 mi
2008	80%	48,705	125,171 mi
2007	80%	55,686	130,265 mi
2006	80%	40,353	136,490 mi
2005	78%	24,924	133,038 mi
2004	78%	18,555	124,569 mi
2003	78%	19,201	122,025 mi
2002	79%	14,796	121,727 mi
2001	77%	9,406	117,601 mi
2000	77%	4,799	114,997 mi
1999	78%	7,815	113,190 mi
1998	79%	6,287	122,358 mi
1997	79%	4,853	120,261 mi
1996	82%	3,215	116,915 mi
1995	80%	2,059	114,256 mi
1994	78%	1,263	115,103 mi
1993	82%	1,173	110,323 mi
1992	84%	1,309	110,038 mi
1991	82%	1,861	119,331 mi
1990	84%	3,316	122,194 mi