2003 BMW 3 Series 3.0L Petrol · FRZ 2092
2003 BMW 3 Series (3.0L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 96,549 miles. MOT expired on 22 Aug 2020. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Lincoln
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 22 Aug 2020
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 96,549 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 3.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
FRZ 2092 Key Findings
- 18 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 23/08/2019
- 96,549 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
FRZ 2092 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
18 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (FRZ 2092) between November 2006 and August 2019.
The record contains 11 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 23 August 2019 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 7 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (29 issues), Tyres (17 issues), Windscreen (12 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Lighting (8 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 50 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Service brake excessively fluctuating front and rear (1.2.1 (e))”; “Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper inadequately mounted (1.1.16 (c) (i))”; “Offside Front Road wheel more than one fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
FRZ 2092 Mileage History
- 04/11/200633,007 mi
- 10/12/200735,443 mi+2,436 mi
- 15/06/200944,008 mi+8,565 mi
- 15/06/200944,008 mi
- 02/06/201049,663 mi+5,655 mi
- 20/05/201154,556 mi+4,893 mi
- 20/05/201154,556 mi
- 30/05/201259,581 mi+5,025 mi
- 30/05/201259,581 mi
- 11/03/201363,270 mi+3,689 mi
- 30/04/201469,180 mi+5,910 mi
- 01/05/201469,221 mi+41 mi
- 28/04/201576,686 mi+7,465 mi
- 28/04/201576,686 mi
- 23/04/201691,606 mi+14,920 mi
- 29/04/201691,753 mi+147 mi
- 05/07/201996,540 mi+4,787 mi
- 23/08/201996,549 mi+9 mi
Average of roughly 4,964 miles per year across 18 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for BMW 3 Series (E46)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (FRZ2 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as FRZ2092.
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPRT DYN SE MHEV A
FORD
FIESTA STYLE
MAZDA
3 TS
MERCEDES
C220 SPORT CDI A
MERCEDES
C180 KOMPRESSOR SE
NISSAN
NAVARA
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF GT TDI
MERCEDES-BENZ
C
LONDON TAXIS INT
TX1 SILVER
BMW
Z4
MERCEDES-BENZ
E
SEAT
LEON FR TECHNOLOGY TDI S-A
BMW 3 SERIES Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2003 model year cars.
- Rear Subframe CrackingSerious
The rear floor can tear where the subframe mounts attach to the shell, especially on early cars and six-cylinder manuals. Ignoring it risks major structural damage.
- Cooling System OverhaulSerious
Expansion tanks, radiators, thermostats, and plastic-impeller-era water pumps fail with age. One overheating event can ruin the alloy straight-six.
- VANOS Seal WearModerate
The VANOS seals harden with age, flattening low-end torque and making the engine feel lethargic or uneven through the mid-range.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.