2007 BMW 3 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Flexible brake hoses4.6× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  19.4% All 2007 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.7% of all 2007 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.

• Engine oil leaks1.6× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  19.3% All 2007 cars

  12.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  5.6% All 2007 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light1.6× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  4.1% All 2007 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.6% of all 2007 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 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 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
  37% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Suspension
  30% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2007 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.

• Battery cable and blower wiring recalls

  All engines

  About 312,000 cars were recalled for a faulty positive battery cable and nearly 280,000 for a heater blower connector. Others covered side airbag wiring, the brake servo, the propshaft joint and VANOS units.

  At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Haynes: BMW 3 Series Mk5 common problems (2004-2011)

• Misfires (N43 petrol, 320i)

  2.0 petrol

  The 2.0 petrol can misfire from faulty injectors and coil packs.

  At the viewing: Check for a rough idle or warning light.

  Source: Fast Car: BMW 3 Series E90 buying guide

• Oil leaks (six-cylinder petrol)

  Six-cylinder petrol

  The six-cylinder petrols leak oil from the cam cover and the oil filter housing.

  At the viewing: Look under the bonnet and the car for oil.

  Source: Fast Car: BMW 3 Series E90 buying guide

• Clutch and dual-mass flywheel

  Manual gearbox

  A faulty dual-mass flywheel can make the clutch seize. Both need replacing.

  At the viewing: Feel for judder or a heavy, odd clutch, and listen for rattles at idle.

  Source: Haynes: BMW 3 Series Mk5 common problems (2004-2011)

• Clunks over bumps in the cold

  All engines

  Worn front anti-roll bar bushes clunk, more in cold weather.

  At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

  Source: Haynes: BMW 3 Series Mk5 common problems (2004-2011)

• Exhaust drone

  All engines

  A damaged exhaust flexi pipe drones when driving or idling.

  At the viewing: Listen at idle and on the move.

  Source: Haynes: BMW 3 Series Mk5 common problems (2004-2011)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol

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

1. Have the battery cable and blower recalls been done?
2. Have the injectors or coils been replaced?
3. Have any oil leaks been fixed?
4. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2007 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)