2000 BMW 3 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Ball joint2× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  11% All 2000 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Flexible brake hoses1.6× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  9.9% All 2000 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Airbag warning light3.2× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  4.1% All 2000 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Link ball joint covers3.1× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  3.4% All 2000 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Individual direction indicators1.7× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  5.6% All 2000 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  43% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  28% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  27% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  25% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Airbag, brake, wheel and suspension recalls

  All engines

  There were a few recalls over the years covering the side airbags, brakes, wheels and suspension.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: BMW 3 Series (1998-2005) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2000 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?