2002 BMW 3 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 BMW 3 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 BMW 3 Series than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Individual direction indicators2.1× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  7% All 2002 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2002 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.

• Airbag warning light2.1× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  3% All 2002 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2002 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.

• Anti-lock braking system2.3× usual
  BMW 3 Series

  2.7% All 2002 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  42% 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.

• Suspension
  38% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  25% 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 mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2002 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.

• Airbag, brake, wheel and suspension recalls

  All engines

  There were a few recalls over the years covering the side airbags, brakes, wheels and suspension.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: BMW 3 Series (1998-2005) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 BMW 3 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2002 BMW 3 Series as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2002 BMW 3 Series as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2002 BMW 3 Series as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?