CarCostCheck

BMW 3 SERIES (2021)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 908 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

93%

Total Tests (2024)

908

Avg Mileage

28,473 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,482

Is the 2021 BMW 3 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 3 years old, 93% of BMW 3 SERIESs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 908 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 28,473 miles.

How does the 2021 BMW 3 SERIES compare?

Rank among all 2021 cars1558th out of 3,373(top 46%)
Rank among all BMW models368th out of 1,564(top 24%)
vs national average+11% (82% avg)
vs 2021 cars average+1% (92% avg)
vs BMW average+5% (88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2021 BMW 3 SERIES has 28,473 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

How much does a 2021 BMW 3 SERIES cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)
£1,037
🏛️Road Tax
£190
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£1,482
Per month£124/mo

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

BMW 3 SERIES by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202193%90828,473 mi
202091%7,52641,101 mi
201991%27,33848,949 mi
201891%19,47556,573 mi
201790%8,07767,957 mi
201690%48,55980,506 mi
201588%61,65989,425 mi
201487%63,059101,192 mi
201385%71,326106,062 mi
201282%68,955111,893 mi
201181%57,568119,984 mi
201080%52,791122,709 mi
200980%49,275121,100 mi
200880%48,705125,171 mi
200780%55,686130,265 mi
200680%40,353136,490 mi
200578%24,924133,038 mi
200478%18,555124,569 mi
200378%19,201122,025 mi
200279%14,796121,727 mi
200177%9,406117,601 mi
200077%4,799114,997 mi
199978%7,815113,190 mi
199879%6,287122,358 mi
199779%4,853120,261 mi
199682%3,215116,915 mi
199580%2,059114,256 mi
199478%1,263115,103 mi
199382%1,173110,323 mi
199284%1,309110,038 mi
199182%1,861119,331 mi
199084%3,316122,194 mi

Checking a specific BMW 3 SERIES?

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About the 2021 BMW 3 SERIES

The 2021 BMW 3 SERIES is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 908 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 28,473 miles at 3 years old, BMW 3 SERIES owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2021 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 £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 BMW 3 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,482 (£124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £190 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 3 SERIES Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2021 BMW 3 SERIES

At 3 years old, this is still relatively fresh. You may find examples with remaining manufacturer warranty. Depreciation is slowing but hasn't bottomed out yet.

Alternatives to the 2021 BMW 3 SERIES

The BMW 3 SERIES is actually the most reliable option among similar diesel premiums from this era. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: