CarCostCheck

BMW X3 (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 13,187 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol2998cc6 years old13,187 tests34k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958
Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,413
Per month£201/mo
Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

92% of MOT tests on BMW X3s from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 13,187 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 33,638 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1200th of 2,554(top half)
Rank among BMW models432nd of 1,548(top half)
vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)
vs 2020 models average+0%(92% avg)
vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

33,638

Average miles

vs

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW X3 had 33,638 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2020 scores 92%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW X3 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202194%5,41324,798 mi
202092%13,18733,638 mi
201992%32,93742,303 mi
201892%17,18649,536 mi
201789%16,66661,118 mi
201688%18,16670,153 mi
201587%14,18982,377 mi
201485%12,22691,766 mi
201384%15,08298,171 mi
201283%14,378104,808 mi
201184%8,272111,744 mi
201084%1,786113,992 mi
200983%2,902117,342 mi
200881%3,247120,389 mi
200778%4,940130,152 mi
200678%6,611135,824 mi
200576%5,434140,749 mi
200478%4,438123,849 mi

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About the 2020 BMW X3

The 2020 BMW X3 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 13,187 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 33,638 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW X3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 BMW X3 Fuel Costs

The 2998cc 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 £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW X3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 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 X3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW X3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2020 BMW X3

At 6 years old, the BMW X3 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 13,187 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 6 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

Low risk

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

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 2020 BMW X3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
BMW X3(2020)92%£1,958£200Grp 30-42£2,413
BMW 5 Series(2018)91%£1,958£200Grp 30-42£2,413same
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2018)93%£1,958£200Grp 30-42£2,413same
Mercedes GLC(2019)93%£1,958£200Grp 30-42£2,413same
BMW X5(2019)92%£1,958£200Grp 30-42£2,413same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 BMW X3

Is the 2020 BMW X3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2020 BMW X3s ended in a pass, from 13,187 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 BMW X3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 BMW X3?

92% of 13,187 MOT tests on the 2020 BMW X3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1200th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (top half).

Which year BMW X3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW X3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2005 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 BMW X3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 BMW X3 is 33,638 miles, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Related BMW Models

Explore other BMW cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the BMW X3.

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