BMW 3 Series (2019)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 27,338 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,852

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,852/year to run. 9 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 3 Series

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1995cc7 years old27,338 tests49k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,852

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

91% of MOT tests on BMW 3 Seriess from 2019 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 5 years old. That's based on 27,338 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 48,949 miles.

Got a BMW 3 Series you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2019 models610th of 1,380(top half)

Rank among BMW models542nd of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2019 models average+1%(90% avg)

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,949

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2019 BMW 3 Series had 48,949 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Looking at a specific BMW 3 Series?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 77%. The 2019 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW 3 Series by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2017 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

same

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-2%

Volkswagen Polo

2018 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,824/year

84%

-7%

Ford Kuga

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,852/year

91%

same

Check a Specific BMW 3 Series

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2019 BMW 3 Series

The 2019 BMW 3 Series is a premium car. Our records list a 1995cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 27,338 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2019, the average MOT pass rate is 90%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 48,949 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 3 Series owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2019 BMW 3 Series 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 £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2019 BMW 3 Series?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,852 (£154/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £200 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.

BMW 3 Series Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 3 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2019 BMW 3 Series

At 7 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 27,338 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2019 BMW 3 Series Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 1,546 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 3 Series that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Tyres53%
Same age: 32% (fails on this more often)
Brakes15%
Same age: 19% (fails on this less often)
Lights and electrics13%
Same age: 25% (fails on this less often)
Exhaust, emissions and leaks11%
Same age: 7.7% (fails on this more often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · BMW 3 Series reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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

Medium risk

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

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2019 BMW 3 Series stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 3 Series(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852
Volkswagen Golf(2017)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674-£178
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28
Volkswagen Polo(2018)	84%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28
Ford Kuga(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2019 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2019 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2019 BMW 3 Seriess ended in a pass, from 27,338 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2019 BMW 3 Series cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,852 a year (£154 a month): £1,397 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2019 BMW 3 Series?

91% of 27,338 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 3 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 610th of 1,380 models first registered in 2019 (top half).

Which year BMW 3 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 3 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2000 the lowest at 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2019 BMW 3 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 3 Series is 48,949 miles, which is above the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.