2011 BMW 3 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers2× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  14% All 2011 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.5× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  3.5% All 2011 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2011 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

  2.9% All 2011 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.8% of all 2011 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 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  23% 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
  23% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  14% 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
  8% 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 2011 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 2011 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 BMW 3 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)