Used BMW 3 Series 2012-2019 reliability

With the BMW 3 Series being very popular with company car drivers, there are plenty of high-mileage examples out there. This, in turn, might tempt unscrupulous sellers to artificially alter the car’s digital odometer, so it’s important to look back through the car’s MOT record online (if it’s old enough to have one), pay for a vehicle history check or plug the car into a BMW dealer’s diagnostics machine.

Also bear in mind that models fitted with large alloy wheels and low-profile tyres are not only more vulnerable to kerb damage, but they also have a significantly firmer ride and produce more road noise, particularly at motorway speeds.

All of the diesel engines in this generation of the 3 Series use a timing chain rather than a belt, but it’s still worth listening out for any ticking metallic sounds which might stem from a faulty tensioner because this can be an issue on earlier examples with infrequent servicing. Better yet, opt for a post-2015 example because that has a revised diesel engine that suffers less from this issue.

Some owners have found the Bluetooth to be temperamental, but this might be fixed with a software upgrade at a BMW dealer. Beyond that, the iDrive infotainment system is holding up well and is still one of the most logical systems to use.

Crankcase bearing bushing

This recall affects some 3 Series models made from 11 March 2019 and 9 July 2019 for a crankcase bearing bushing that might not have been pressed into the engine correctly. This may sound like a minor issue, but cars that are involved will actually need to have a new engine fitted, so speak to a BMW dealer for further information.

Crankshaft sensor

A problem with the crankshaft sensor of some examples built from 16 May 2018 and 7 June 2018 could lead to the engine going into an emergency reduced power mode and limit performance. A BMW dealer will be able to confirm if your 3 Series is affected by this and arrange to have the sensor replaced.

Seatbelt mechanism

There is a possibility that some examples manufactured between 1 September 2014 and 31 March 2015 could have a faulty Driver's side seatbelt mechanism that makes it difficult to use in cold weather. Find out from a BMW dealer if your car is affected since it will need to have the mechanism replaced.

Power steering

A potential issue with the power steering on cars manufactured from the start of production up to 8 December 2015, and the driver may notice heavier steering than usual if it does fail. Affected examples will need to have a new power steering system fitted to fix the fault.

Rear axle bolts

Additionally, the rear axle bolts on cars produced between 1 January 2015 and 1 September 2016 can fail when reused, so if any work has been carried out on the rear axle (for example as a result of an accident repair), you need to be certain that new bolts have also been fitted.

Loss of drive

If you’re looking at a 2013 3 Series with a manual gearbox and you find it difficult to engage gears, then it might be that the bolts securing the pressure plate are loose. There was a recall issued for cars made between 1 February 2013 and 30 June 2013 to have these bolts replaced in order to fix the problem.

Engine may stall

There is a potential issue with engines that stall due to the fuel pump, and relates to models produced between 1 September 2013 to 30 April 2014. You may notice a warning lamp and error message display in the instrument cluster before the engine cuts out. Check with a BMW dealer to find out if your example is affected by this because it will need the fuel pump to be replaced.

EGR cooler

There have been a few recalls for leaking EGR coolers and apply to various BMW models, but for the 3 Series it affects those built between 19 September 2015 and 22 November 2017. With such a broad timescale, contact your dealer for further information, because you'll need to have the vehicle inspected if it is suspected to be one of those affected.

Central rear headrest

Poor welds might mean the foldable central rear headrest might not work correctly on 3 Series models made from 5 - 31 July 2019, and will need to be inspected by a technician BMW dealer to determine if it needs to be replaced.

Suspension and brakes

Owners have noticed that the 3 Series has a particularly voracious appetite for brake pads and discs. While cars with the electrically adjustable dampers can produce an annoying rattle at the rear, which doesn’t indicate a fault, but is irritating nonetheless.

Interior

With early models now approaching their ninth birthday, the odd squeak and rattle from interior trim is to be expected. Some owners have also noticed significant wind whistle from the windows at motorway speeds.

Body

The F30 3 Series has been criticised for body paint which is susceptible to chipping. Rust on the other hand, does not seem to be a big issue for the majority of cars.

In our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the BMW 3 Series ranked 18th out of 24 cars in our most reliable executive car class with a score of 87.5%. This was above the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Skoda Superb, but below the Audi A4, the Jaguar XE and the Mercedes C-Class.

BMW finished 12th out of 32 brands in our most reliable car manufacturers rundown, with a good overall score of 93%. This put it above Audi and Mercedes but below Lexus and Tesla.

Used BMW 3 Series reliability: the owners' view

Owners of the BMW 3 Series told us about their experiences as part of our annual Reliability Survey, and while most said that their cars had been reliable, there were some notable exceptions. Most of these were for minor issues, and mainly related to glitches with the car’s infotainment system.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of servicing their cars using BMW main dealers, with several noting that this was more costly than they were expecting. A small number of readers also expected their cars to come with a longer warranty than the three years BMW offers.