2025 BMW 3 Series: known problems and what to check
Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. Here’s what we do know about the 2025 BMW 3 Series, and what to check before you buy one.
Known faults on the 2025 BMW 3 Series
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.
- All engines
Electrical and infotainment glitches
In What Car?'s survey 13% of petrol and plug-in hybrid cars had a fault, mostly minor electrical, engine and infotainment glitches.
At the viewing: Test the infotainment and all the electrics, and make sure no warning lights show.
What to check on a 2025 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Looking at a BMW 3 Series?
Check the actual car: tax, ULEZ, fuel costs and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW 3 Series compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | – | Too few tests |
| 2021 | 759 | Tyres 21% |
| 2020 | 9,771 | Tyres 26% |
| 2019 | 34,846 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 25,493 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 10,906 | Tyres 26% |
| 2016 | 73,403 | Tyres 27% |
| 2015 | 91,029 | Tyres 28% |
| 2014 | 90,046 | Tyres 30% |
| 2013 | 97,821 | Tyres 30% |
| 2012 | 96,040 | Tyres 32% |
| 2011 | 81,787 | Tyres 33% |
| 2010 | 75,455 | Suspension 35% |
| 2009 | 67,536 | Suspension 37% |
| 2008 | 66,671 | Brakes 40% |
| 2007 | 77,186 | Brakes 41% |
| 2006 | 57,039 | Brakes 46% |
| 2005 | 36,334 | Brakes 46% |
| 2004 | 27,771 | Brakes 44% |
| 2003 | 29,361 | Brakes 44% |
| 2002 | 22,806 | Brakes 42% |
| 2001 | 14,634 | Brakes 43% |
| 2000 | 7,767 | Brakes 43% |
| 1999 | 7,370 | Brakes 38% |
| 1998 | 5,623 | Suspension 35% |
| 1997 | 4,172 | Brakes 36% |
| 1996 | 2,941 | Brakes 37% |
| 1995 | 1,929 | Brakes 37% |
| 1994 | 1,187 | Brakes 34% |
| 1993 | 1,172 | Brakes 32% |
| 1992 | 1,287 | Suspension 28% |
| 1991 | 1,968 | Suspension 26% |
| 1990 | 3,254 | Suspension 25% |
| 1989 | – | Too few tests |
| 1988 | – | Too few tests |
| 1987 | – | Too few tests |
| 1986 | – | Too few tests |
| 1985 | – | Too few tests |
| 1984 | – | Too few tests |
| 1983 | – | Too few tests |
| 1982 | – | Too few tests |
| 1981 | – | Too few tests |
| 1980 | – | Too few tests |
| 1979 | – | Too few tests |
| 1978 | – | Too few tests |
| 1977 | – | Too few tests |
| 1976 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: how many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics (DVLA records), counted by the year each car was first registered. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score