Is the 2021 BMW 320 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW 320s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,533 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 BMW 320 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 320?

The 2021 BMW 320 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 2,533 tests in 2026. This ranks 1840 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year BMW 320 is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW 320 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 73%.

BMW 320 (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW 320?

The average mileage for a 2021 BMW 320 is 29,483 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,533 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,487

£124/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1487/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Diesel1995cc5 years old2,533 tests29k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Per week£29/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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 5 years old, 92% of BMW 320s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,533 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 29,483 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1840th of 3,373(top 55%)

Rank among BMW models465th of 1,564(top 30%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

29,483

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 320 has 29,483 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2021 sits between the two at 92%.

BMW 320 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	97%	61	22,624 mi
2021	92%	2,533	29,483 mi
2020	92%	9,105	34,897 mi
2019	92%	14,440	42,764 mi
2018	91%	17,053	59,320 mi
2017	90%	26,367	71,271 mi
2016	90%	6,365	78,781 mi
2015	90%	555	79,550 mi
2014	85%	441	82,085 mi
2013	89%	611	77,974 mi
2012	83%	409	87,516 mi
2011	87%	260	84,622 mi
2010	86%	291	91,150 mi
2009	81%	162	104,384 mi
2008	84%	177	101,514 mi
2007	79%	167	121,206 mi
2006	74%	145	143,980 mi
2005	73%	63	128,780 mi
2004	82%	49	131,336 mi
2003	77%	30	119,901 mi
1990	86%	35	111,395 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

-1%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM

2019 · 2000cc Diesel

£1,632/year

87%

-5%

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About the 2021 BMW 320

The 2021 BMW 320 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 2,533 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 29,483 miles at 5 years old, BMW 320 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 BMW 320 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 2021 BMW 320?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 320 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 320s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 BMW 320

At 5 years old, the BMW 320 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 BMW 320'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

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

Low risk

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

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 2021 BMW 320 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 320(2021)	92%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1487
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£5
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)	87%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632+£145

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.