2003 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · HG53 YZE
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 148,430 miles. MOT expired on 17 Dec 2018. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 17 Dec 2018
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (30 Nov 2020)
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,430 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.
HG53 YZE Key Findings
- 19 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 06/12/2019
- 148,430 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
HG53 YZE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
19 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (HG53 YZE) between February 2006 and December 2019.
The record contains 15 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 06 December 2019 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (29 issues), Suspension (8 issues), Steering (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 34 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 Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Registration plate insecure not fitted (0.1 (a))”; “Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))”.
HG53 YZE Mileage History
- 06/02/200621,284 mi
- 15/12/200631,510 mi+10,226 mi
- 18/12/200742,149 mi+10,639 mi
- 17/12/200854,560 mi+12,411 mi
- 16/12/200964,644 mi+10,084 mi
- 17/12/201073,111 mi+8,467 mi
- 16/12/201181,396 mi+8,285 mi
- 14/12/201287,897 mi+6,501 mi
- 18/12/201287,897 mi
- 17/12/201393,825 mi+5,928 mi
- 11/12/2014108,342 mi+14,517 mi
- 16/12/2014108,735 mi+393 mi
- 04/12/2015119,873 mi+11,138 mi
- 12/12/2016127,035 mi+7,162 mi
- 15/12/2016127,135 mi+100 mi
- 28/11/2017130,844 mi+3,709 mi
- 06/12/2018143,268 mi+12,424 mi
- 07/12/2018143,268 mi
- 06/12/2019148,430 mi+5,162 mi
Average of roughly 9,194 miles per year across 19 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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