Is the 2008 BMW 330 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW 330s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 47 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2008 BMW 330 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 BMW 330?

The 2008 BMW 330 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 47 tests in 2026. This ranks 33 out of 589 cars from 2008.

Which year BMW 330 is most reliable?

The 2019 BMW 330 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 70%.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 BMW 330?

The average mileage for a 2008 BMW 330 is 114,646 miles, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 330 (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 47 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,895

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2993cc Diesel

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1895/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Diesel2993cc18 years old47 tests115k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2993cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2993cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,895

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 18 years old, 94% of BMW 330s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 47 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 114,646 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars33th of 589(top 6%)

Rank among BMW models315th of 1,564(top 20%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average+21%(73% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

114,646

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 BMW 330 has 114,646 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2008 sits between the two at 94%.

BMW 330 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	91%	458	40,582 mi
2020	91%	11,843	49,099 mi
2019	92%	9,591	56,271 mi
2018	92%	5,864	67,790 mi
2017	90%	12,922	74,493 mi
2016	90%	2,533	81,221 mi
2015	88%	152	92,658 mi
2014	81%	131	106,045 mi
2013	90%	125	111,956 mi
2012	85%	124	106,334 mi
2011	77%	39	95,730 mi
2009	90%	51	95,480 mi
2008	94%	47	114,646 mi
2007	72%	53	140,923 mi
2006	70%	76	144,436 mi
2005	89%	54	109,599 mi
2003	63%	49	123,227 mi
2002	90%	62	92,597 mi
2001	87%	53	104,399 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2008 · 2926cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

-14%

AUDI A5

2010 · 2967cc Diesel

£1,900/year

82%

-12%

JAGUAR XF

2010 · 2993cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

-14%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

2006 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,050/year

78%

-16%

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About the 2008 BMW 330

The 2008 BMW 330 is a premium performance with a 2993cc diesel engine. 47 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 114,646 miles at 18 years old, BMW 330 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 BMW 330 Fuel Costs

The 2993cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 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 2008 BMW 330?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,895 (£158/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 330 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 330s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 BMW 330

At 18 years old, the BMW 330 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 47 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 BMW 330'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

Watch out

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

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.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 115k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2008 BMW 330 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 330(2008)	94%	£1245	£395	Grp 30-42	£1895
BMW 3 SERIES(2008)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900+£5
AUDI A5(2010)	82%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900+£5
JAGUAR XF(2010)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900+£5
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2006)	78%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£155

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.