2009 BMW 3 Series diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Shock absorbers2.8× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  20% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Flexible brake hoses4.4× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  11.4% All 2009 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Windscreen1.8× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  5.7% All 2009 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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.

• Brakes
  36% 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
  35% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  7% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel

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.

• Timing chain (N47 diesel, 318d/320d)

  2.0 diesel (2007 on)

  The 2.0 diesel's timing chain is at the back of the engine and is a known weak point. Replacing it costs around £1,000.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle from the back.

  Source: Fast Car: BMW 3 Series E90 buying guide

• 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)

• Flat battery from the fuel filter heater (diesel)

  Diesel

  A faulty fuel filter heater can drain the battery.

  At the viewing: Ask whether it has had flat batteries.

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

• 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 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel

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

1. Has the timing chain been replaced?
2. Have the battery cable and blower recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2009 BMW 3 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?