Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 87%
Safety assist: 76%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 320d saloon
Overall score: 2 stars
Date tested: November 2020
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6 / 10
The rating above only applies to the 320d saloon, which is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine with an automatic gearbox. It does not apply to any other engine/gearbox combination.
Overall, the BMW 3 Series range performs well in terms of low CO2 emissions across most engines in the range.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 41 mpg | |
| Diesel models | 54 mpg | |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 314 mpg |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 156 g/km | |||
| Diesel models | 138 g/km | |||
| Plug-in hybrid models | 21 g/km |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 59 miles |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 33 |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £259 | |
| Year 2 | £603 | |
| Year 3 | £985 | |
| Year 4 | £1,282 | |
| Year 5 | £1,672 | |
| Overall | £Invalid input: Please provide a valid number. |
The BMW 3 Series is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to running costs. Fuel consumption for the petrol models is worse than average, while the diesels are better than average.
The plug-in hybrid models look great on paper, but this is entirly unrealistic. That’s not BMW’s fault, but rather the way that the EU/UK regulations are written. The battery range for the plug-in hybrid also looks poor, but is actually not too bad for a plug-in hybrid car.
Insurance costs are about average, while scheduled servicing and maintenance costs are average to good.
Warranty rating
| Overall rating | B | 39% |
| Petrol or diesel models | D | 24% |
| Electric or hybrid models | B | 58% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | Unlimited miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
New car warranty information for the BMW 3 Series
| Overall rating | C | 51% |
| Petrol or diesel models | D | 42% |
| Hybrid or plug-in hybrid models | B | 60% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | Unlimited miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
(copy) All new BMWs in the UK come with a three-year/unlimited-mileage new car warranty as standard. This is very much at the low end of the scale, with some brands now offering up to seven years. However, if you have a 3 Series plug-in hybrid model, the battery component will also benefit from an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. This is why the plug-in hybrid 3 Series gets a B grade while the petrol and diesel models only score a D.
(copy) If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ BMW 3 Series from an official BMW dealership, you will get a minimum one-year/unlimited-mileage warranty included. If you are buying a used 3 Series from an independent dealership, the warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company. If you are buying a used 3 Series from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond anything that may be left on the initial new car warranty.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 2118
Average repair cost: £757.49
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of October 2024, the BMW 3 Series is very poor when it comes to reliability with a rating of E and a score of just 42%, according to workshop and warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current model (2019 onwards) as well as earlier generations.
Based on a large number of warranty repairs, the average repair costs is also quite high at nearly £800. That’s a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is certainly worth considering if you own a 3 Series or are thinking about buying one.
The most common problems reported for the 3 Series relate to its engine, and unfortunately these are also the most expensive faults, with an average repair bill of about £1,600. Gearbox problems are also similarly expensive to repair, but appear to be less common. Repair bills for electrical system, engine and suspension are more competitive, thankfully, averaging less than £400 for each.
The current BMW 3 Series has also had 15 recalls to date, which is a very high number (see ‘Recalls’ section below) and covers a range of different problems.
Make sure that any used car warranty you are purchasing covers all of these potential problem areas.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW 3 Series
Date: December 2023
Recall number: R/2023/354
Model types: All 3 Series Touring estate
Build dates: 01/2023 only
Number of vehicles affected: 26
Defect: On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module.
Remedy: On affected vehicles the transmission mechatronic module will be replaced.
Date: June 2023
Recall number: R/2023/071
Model types: All 3 Series saloon
Build dates: 07/2022 to 10/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 538
Defect: On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.
Remedy: Conduct a check of the settings and if necessary perform a reset on the BDC control unit.
Date: November 2022
Recall number: R/2022/323
Model types: All 3 Series Touring estate
Build dates: 09/2022 only
Number of vehicles affected: 7
Defect: It is possible that a damaged seat belt may have been installed into the vehicle during production.
Remedy: The front left upper seat belt will be replaced on affected vehicles as a precaution.
Date: October 2022
Recall number: R/2022/297
Model types: 3 Series saloon
Build dates: 01/2021 only
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: The safety recall relates to a problem with a cell module within the high-voltage battery.
Remedy: Replace the affected high-voltage cell module.
Date: June 2022
Recall number: R/2022/255
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2019 to 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 322,745 (including other BMW models)
Defect: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Remedy: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality
Date: March 2022
Recall number: R/2022/089
Model types: All 3 Series Touring estate
Build dates: 01/2022 only
Number of vehicles affected: 2,018
Defect: The micro gas generator within the front seatbelt’s retractor may have been damaged and may not act according to the specification in the event of an accident.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the front seatbelts will be checked and replaced if they are found to have been damaged.
Date: August 2021
Recall number: R/2021/288
Model types: 3 Series saloon
Build dates: 04/2019 only
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: The fault involves the tandem vacuum/oil pump fitted to the engine. On affected vehicles it is possible that the engine rotates in the opposite direction than it is meant to on start-up causing the tandem pump to fail.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the control unit (DME) will be programmed to prevent the failure from occurring.
Date: May 2021
Recall number: R/2021/168
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 03/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 60
Defect: The screw connection of the front seat belt buckle assembly to the seat frame may not be tightened properly.
Remedy: On affected vehicles the screw connection of the lower belt of the front seats will be checked and if necessary reworked.
Date: March 2021
Recall number: R/2021/085
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2021 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 705
Defect: Affected vehicles may be fitted with brake discs which were not produced according to the specifications
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the brake discs will be checked and if necessary replaced
Date: January 2021
Recall number: R/2021/015
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2020 to 10/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 388
Defect: The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process.
Remedy: Check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary.
Date: December 2020
Recall number: R/2020/283
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2020 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 2,665
Defect: A possibility of impurities contained in the HV batteries may cause short circuit.
Remedy: Testing of battery charge cycles and replacement of the HV cells where necessary.
Date: October 2020
Recall number: R/2020/298
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2020 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 871
Defect: In very rare cases welding beads were not always completely removed in the cleaning process during battery production.
Remedy: Test and replace the High Voltage batteries if affected.
Date: August 2020
Recall number: R/2020/219
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2018 to 03/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 4,542
Defect: A steering tie rod with an earlier design configuration can become broken in the ‘kink’ groove area of the rod.
Remedy: Both of the steering tie rods will be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Date: April 2020
Recall number: R/2019/290
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2018 to 03/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1,737
Defect: The rear center head restraint interlock was not welded according to specification.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the center rear head restraint will be replaced.
Date: December 2019
Recall number: R/2019/368
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2019 to 07/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 53
Defect: The engine counterbalance shaft bearing bushing into the crankcase may be out of specification.
Remedy: Replace the engine of affected vehicles.
As of December 2024, there have been 15 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW 3 Series. The recalls are sometimes only for the saloon or Touring estate, and cover engine components, seat belts, steering tie rods, head rests, batteries and brakes. Affected models can range from simply one, to thousands in need of a recall.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used 3 Series, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW 3 Series has received
2023
- EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Plug-In Hybrid Large Car + Best Plug-In Hybrid Large Estate Car
- Fleet News Awards – Most Reliable Company Car
2022
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Car
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Compact Executive Car
- EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Compact Executive Plug-in Hybrid
- Fleet World Awards – Best Compact Executive Car
2021
- The Car Expert Awards – Medium Car Class Champion, petrol/diesel
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best Hybrid (330e)
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Car
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Medium Car + Best PHEV
- Carwow Awards – Best Family Hybrid Car (330e)
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Compact Executive
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Compact Executive Car
- Fleet News Awards – Best Premium Car
- Fleet World Awards – Best Compact Executive Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Company Car
2020
- Auto Trader Awards – Most Loved Car
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Car
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Car of the Year + Best Compact Executive
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Compact Executive Car
- Fleet News Awards – New Company Car of the Year + Best Premium Car
- Fleet World Awards – Best New Fleet Car + Best Fleet Compact Executive Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Company Car (330e)
2019
- Auto Express Awards – Best Compact Executive Car
- Business Car Awards – Best Premium Car
- carwow Awards – Car of the Year + Best Family Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW 3 Series, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Audi A4 | Audi A5 Sportback | Jaguar XE | Kia Stinger | Mazda 6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Peugeot 508 | Polestar 2 | Subaru Levorg | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Insignia | Volkswagen Arteon | Volkswagen Passat | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60
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