2006 BMW 3 Series: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 BMW 3 Seriess, from 15,748 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 BMW 3 Seriess than on all cars registered in 2006.
- Flexible brake hoses4× usualBMW 3 Series22.1% All 2006 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
- Engine oil leaks1.6× usualBMW 3 Series22.2% All 2006 cars13.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
- Shock absorbers1.7× usualBMW 3 Series12.8% All 2006 cars7.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
- Sub-frame1.6× usualBMW 3 Series11.6% All 2006 cars7.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Airbag warning light2× usualBMW 3 Series2.6% All 2006 cars1.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Headlights: 5.1% here, against 14.3% of all 2006 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 0.6% here, against 7.6% of all 2006 cars.
By area
The share of 2006 BMW 3 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes46% 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.
- Suspension41% 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.
- Tyres33% 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 electrics26% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks24% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors12% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,166 | Tyres 24% |
| 2019 | 11,430 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 8,504 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 3,622 | Tyres 26% |
| 2016 | 24,243 | Tyres 27% |
| 2015 | 30,049 | Tyres 29% |
| 2014 | 29,426 | Tyres 31% |
| 2013 | 31,654 | Tyres 30% |
| 2012 | 30,461 | Tyres 32% |
| 2011 | 24,841 | Tyres 34% |
| 2010 | 22,691 | Suspension 38% |
| 2009 | 20,166 | Suspension 40% |
| 2008 | 19,093 | Suspension 42% |
| 2007 | 21,666 | Brakes 42% |
| 2005 | 9,866 | Brakes 45% |
| 2004 | 7,889 | Brakes 43% |
| 2003 | 8,471 | Brakes 43% |
| 2002 | 6,561 | Brakes 42% |
| 2001 | 4,182 | Brakes 40% |
| 2000 | 2,180 | Brakes 42% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 BMW 3 Seriess registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score