2003 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · FY03 FJJ
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 72,819 miles. MOT expired on 11 Sept 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 11 Sept 2020
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 72,819 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.5L
- 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.
FY03 FJJ Key Findings
- 23 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 12/09/2019
- 72,819 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 10 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
FY03 FJJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
23 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (FY03 FJJ) between June 2006 and September 2019.
The record contains 13 passes and 10 failures.
The most recent test on 12 September 2019 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 10 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (18 issues), Tyres (10 issues), Lighting (8 issues), Windscreen (5 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 22 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: “Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))”; “Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))”; “Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))”.
FY03 FJJ Mileage History
- 14/06/200646,269 mi
- 14/06/200751,132 mi+4,863 mi
- 13/06/200853,491 mi+2,359 mi
- 13/06/200853,491 mi
- 09/06/200955,430 mi+1,939 mi
- 09/06/200955,430 mi
- 10/06/201057,580 mi+2,150 mi
- 08/06/201159,837 mi+2,257 mi
- 09/06/201159,853 mi+16 mi
- 14/06/201261,853 mi+2,000 mi
- 19/06/201261,869 mi+16 mi
- 24/06/201363,322 mi+1,453 mi
- 26/06/201363,356 mi+34 mi
- 10/06/201465,755 mi+2,399 mi
- 13/06/201465,756 mi+1 mi
- 25/06/201569,544 mi+3,788 mi
- 26/06/201569,544 mi
- 12/07/201671,489 mi+1,945 mi
- 12/07/201671,492 mi+3 mi
- 27/07/201772,074 mi+582 mi
- 28/07/201772,075 mi+1 mi
- 11/09/201972,817 mi+742 mi
- 12/09/201972,819 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 2,004 miles per year across 23 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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.
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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.
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