Used car guide

2012 BMW 3 Series: petrol or diesel?

Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.

Petrol 74% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) Stands out: steering rack inner joints 2.3×, exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.3× 16,041 MOTsSee the petrol guide › Diesel 68% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) Stands out: shock absorbers 2.2×, steering rack inner joints 4.4×, link ball joint covers 1.7× 79,947 MOTsSee the diesel guide ›

Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.

Known faults on every 2012 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.

  • Timing chain wear

    2.0 petrol and diesel

    The four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines can suffer timing chain wear, especially with late oil changes. A failed chain is an engine-out repair.

    At the viewing: Listen for a rattle or whine from the back of the engine, especially from cold. Ask for oil changes on time.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 3 Series (2012-2019) used review

  • Noisy differential

    A whine from the rear as the car passes you can mean the differential has been neglected.

    At the viewing: Ask someone to drive it past you slowly and listen for a whine from the back.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 3 Series (2012-2019) used review

Looking at a BMW 3 Series?

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 3 Series compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022–Too few tests
2021759Tyres 21%
20209,771Tyres 26%
201934,846Tyres 25%
201825,493Tyres 26%
201710,906Tyres 26%
201673,403Tyres 27%
201591,029Tyres 28%
201490,046Tyres 30%
201397,821Tyres 30%
201181,787Tyres 33%
201075,455Suspension 35%
200967,536Suspension 37%
200866,671Brakes 40%
200777,186Brakes 41%
200657,039Brakes 46%
200536,334Brakes 46%
200427,771Brakes 44%
200329,361Brakes 44%
200222,806Brakes 42%
200114,634Brakes 43%
20007,767Brakes 43%
19997,370Brakes 38%
19985,623Suspension 35%
19974,172Brakes 36%
19962,941Brakes 37%
19951,929Brakes 37%
19941,187Brakes 34%
19931,172Brakes 32%
19921,287Suspension 28%
19911,968Suspension 26%
19903,254Suspension 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