2003 BMW 3 Series 3.0L Petrol · RV53 AAN
2003 BMW 3 Series (3.0L, petrol). First registered 01 Oct 2003. Recorded mileage 115,361 miles. MOT expired on 27 Jul 2022. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 Jul 2022
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 115,361 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.
RV53 AAN Key Findings
- 20 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 28/07/2021
- 6 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
RV53 AAN MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
20 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (RV53 AAN) between August 2006 and July 2021.
The record contains 14 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 28 July 2021 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 6 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (9 issues), Tyres (7 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 20 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 Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint inner (2.4.G.2)”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint outer (2.4.G.2)”; “Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)”.
RV53 AAN Mileage History
- 30/08/200619,853 mi
- 12/09/200727,694 mi+7,841 mi
- 09/09/200834,927 mi+7,233 mi
- 27/08/200942,477 mi+7,550 mi
- 20/08/201054,045 mi+11,568 mi
- 20/08/201054,045 mi
- 09/09/201165,075 mi+11,030 mi
- 09/09/201165,075 mi
- 07/09/201275,270 mi+10,195 mi
- 07/09/201275,270 mi
- 05/09/201385,159 mi+9,889 mi
- 11/09/201495,682 mi+10,523 mi
- 12/09/201495,685 mi+3 mi
- 18/08/201560,843 mi-34,842 mi
- 07/09/2016105,261 mi+44,418 mi
- 08/09/2017110,849 mi+5,588 mi
- 16/09/2017110,895 mi+46 mi
- 12/09/2018115,361 mi+4,466 mi
- 12/09/2018115,361 mi
Average of roughly 7,936 miles per year across 19 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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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