2003 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Diesel · K13 JKJ
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 164,756 miles. MOT expired on 17 Dec 2016. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Borehamwood
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 17 Dec 2016
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (16 Aug 2016)
- Recorded Mileage
- 164,756 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.0L
- 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.
K13 JKJ Key Findings
- 16 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 18/12/2015
- 164,756 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 5 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
K13 JKJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
16 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (K13 JKJ) between March 2006 and December 2015.
The record contains 11 passes and 5 failures.
The most recent test on 18 December 2015 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 5 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (18 issues), Lighting (8 issues), Tyres (8 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 18 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 Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)”; “Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”; “Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”.
K13 JKJ Mileage History
- 08/03/200639,050 mi
- 27/02/200757,116 mi+18,066 mi
- 04/03/200864,898 mi+7,782 mi
- 05/03/200864,918 mi+20 mi
- 14/11/200869,319 mi+4,401 mi
- 10/11/200974,998 mi+5,679 mi
- 11/11/201082,129 mi+7,131 mi
- 14/11/201193,205 mi+11,076 mi
- 16/11/2012105,992 mi+12,787 mi
- 17/11/2012105,992 mi
- 13/11/2013124,980 mi+18,988 mi
- 15/11/2013124,980 mi
- 28/11/2014147,806 mi+22,826 mi
- 01/12/2014147,809 mi+3 mi
- 18/12/2015164,755 mi+16,946 mi
- 18/12/2015164,756 mi+1 mi
Average of roughly 12,854 miles per year across 16 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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