2003 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Diesel · PJ03 AKY
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 182,784 miles. MOT expired on 06 Feb 2021. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 06 Feb 2021
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (02 Dec 2020)
- Recorded Mileage
- 182,784 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.
PJ03 AKY Key Findings
- 22 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 07/02/2020
- 182,784 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
PJ03 AKY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
22 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (PJ03 AKY) between April 2006 and February 2020.
The record contains 15 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 07 February 2020 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: Lighting (22 issues), Windscreen (11 issues), Tyres (11 issues), Brakes (10 issues), Suspension (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 45 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 Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)”; “Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear(at rear) (3.6.B.2c)”; “Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear(at rear) (3.6.B.2c)”.
PJ03 AKY Mileage History
- 26/04/200619,272 mi
- 19/06/200619,567 mi+295 mi
- 20/06/200619,567 mi
- 20/06/200741,830 mi+22,263 mi
- 19/06/200859,363 mi+17,533 mi
- 29/07/200973,474 mi+14,111 mi
- 29/07/200973,474 mi
- 08/06/201085,626 mi+12,152 mi
- 23/06/201188,784 mi+3,158 mi
- 24/06/201188,784 mi
- 21/06/201295,310 mi+6,526 mi
- 27/06/201295,533 mi+223 mi
- 24/06/2013102,419 mi+6,886 mi
- 14/04/2014106,438 mi+4,019 mi
- 05/05/2015126,914 mi+20,476 mi
- 05/05/2015126,915 mi+1 mi
- 16/03/2016143,925 mi+17,010 mi
- 16/03/2016143,925 mi
- 28/04/2017155,305 mi+11,380 mi
- 02/05/2017155,374 mi+69 mi
- 14/04/2018164,332 mi+8,958 mi
- 07/02/2020182,784 mi+18,452 mi
Average of roughly 11,862 miles per year across 22 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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