2020 BMW 330i: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW 330i first registered in 2020: we looked at the 152 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 152 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 2020 BMW 330i MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 BMW 330i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres19% 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 electrics3% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors2% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Brakes2% 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.
- Suspension1% 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.
Known faults on the 2020 BMW 330i
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 BMW 330i
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW 330i?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW 330i compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 288 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 1,570 | Tyres 21% |
| 2018 | 241 | Tyres 22% |
| 2017 | 952 | Tyres 24% |
| 2016 | 194 | Tyres 25% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 330i cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score