Is the 2017 BMW M3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW M3s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 3,761 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2017 BMW M3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 BMW M3?

The 2017 BMW M3 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 3,761 tests in 2026. This ranks 90 out of 579 cars from 2017.

Which year BMW M3 is most reliable?

The 1991 BMW M3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%. The least reliable year is 1994 at 84%.

BMW M3 (2017)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2017 BMW M3?

The average mileage for a 2017 BMW M3 is 44,109 miles, which is below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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 3,761 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol2979cc9 years old3,761 tests44k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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 9 years old, 94% of BMW M3s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,761 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 44,109 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars90th of 579(top 16%)

Rank among BMW models243th of 1,564(top 16%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2017 cars average+7%(87% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

44,109

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW M3 has 44,109 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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 1991 model with a 100% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 84%. The 2017 sits between the two at 94%.

BMW M3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	96%	2,770	39,337 mi
2017	94%	3,761	44,109 mi
2016	95%	3,045	51,414 mi
2015	96%	2,366	58,218 mi
2014	93%	1,009	61,459 mi
2013	94%	920	52,129 mi
2012	93%	1,463	61,117 mi
2011	92%	1,593	69,269 mi
2010	92%	1,787	72,560 mi
2009	93%	1,844	81,000 mi
2008	91%	2,873	83,256 mi
2007	93%	1,081	92,362 mi
2006	89%	633	84,058 mi
2005	89%	1,752	91,815 mi
2004	89%	2,681	98,105 mi
2003	89%	3,515	100,457 mi
2002	88%	2,430	104,512 mi
2001	89%	552	112,063 mi
1999	87%	403	91,828 mi
1998	87%	575	99,827 mi
1997	90%	598	107,612 mi
1996	86%	526	109,107 mi
1995	88%	416	111,955 mi
1994	84%	220	119,067 mi
1993	76%	41	128,458 mi
1991	100%	51	95,928 mi
1990	95%	110	91,917 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 5 SERIES

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

91%

-3%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

-1%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

-2%

MERCEDES GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

-1%

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About the 2017 BMW M3

The 2017 BMW M3 is a premium performance with a 2979cc petrol engine. 3,761 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 16% of all 2017 cars for reliability.

With an average of 44,109 miles at 9 years old, BMW M3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2017 BMW M3 Fuel Costs

The 2979cc 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 2017 BMW M3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 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 M3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW M3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2017 BMW M3

At 9 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 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 100%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 BMW M3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2017 BMW M3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW M3(2017)	94%	£1592	£195	Grp 30-42	£2042
BMW 5 SERIES(2018)	91%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2018)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
MERCEDES GLC(2019)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5

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.