CarCostCheck

BMW ALPINA (2003)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 85 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

91%

Total Tests (2024)

85

Avg Mileage

97,621 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£2,097

Is the 2003 BMW ALPINA reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

At 21 years old, 91% of BMW ALPINAs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 85 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 97,621 miles.

How does the 2003 BMW ALPINA compare?

Rank among all 2003 cars22th out of 445(top 5%)
Rank among all BMW models644th out of 1,564(top 41%)
vs national average+9% (82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+19% (72% avg)
vs BMW average+3% (88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2003 BMW ALPINA has 97,621 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a BMW ALPINA?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2003 sits between the two at 91%.

How much does a 2003 BMW ALPINA cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 3346cc)
£1,592
🏛️Road Tax
£250
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£2,097
Per month£175/mo

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

BMW ALPINA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202191%18626,604 mi
202097%11232,032 mi
201993%17037,777 mi
201898%12743,619 mi
201790%8753,539 mi
201690%13053,465 mi
201590%18165,952 mi
201493%12093,182 mi
201394%6498,526 mi
201295%10298,683 mi
201186%17694,377 mi
201090%188109,791 mi
200982%223114,033 mi
200890%217102,557 mi
200787%313140,615 mi
200695%151148,080 mi
200592%9087,087 mi
200486%16374,830 mi
200391%8597,621 mi
200286%120104,917 mi
200181%80110,085 mi
200088%108112,393 mi
199986%79110,744 mi
199875%79132,265 mi
199796%47131,015 mi

Checking a specific BMW ALPINA?

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About the 2003 BMW ALPINA

The 2003 BMW ALPINA is a premium performance with a 3346cc petrol engine. 85 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 5% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 97,621 miles at 21 years old, BMW ALPINA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 BMW ALPINA Fuel Costs

The 3346cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 BMW ALPINA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,097 (£175/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £250 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 ALPINA Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2003 BMW ALPINA

At 21 years old, the BMW ALPINA 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 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 85 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 2003 BMW ALPINA

The BMW ALPINA is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol premium performances from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: