2003 BMW 3 Series 2.9L Diesel · SJ03 ZTD
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.9L, diesel). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 166,911 miles. MOT expired on 08 Feb 2018. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 08 Feb 2018
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 166,911 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.9L
- 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.
SJ03 ZTD Key Findings
- 18 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 09/02/2017
- 166,911 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
SJ03 ZTD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
18 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (SJ03 ZTD) between March 2006 and February 2017.
The record contains 12 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 09 February 2017 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: Tyres (14 issues), Lighting (9 issues), Brakes (7 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Bodywork (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 16 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: “Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)”; “Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)”; “Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)”.
SJ03 ZTD Mileage History
- 09/03/200652,432 mi
- 02/03/200763,051 mi+10,619 mi
- 05/03/200763,051 mi
- 05/04/200880,905 mi+17,854 mi
- 05/04/200880,905 mi
- 22/07/200996,745 mi+15,840 mi
- 20/07/2010106,962 mi+10,217 mi
- 20/05/2011110,496 mi+3,534 mi
- 12/05/2012119,064 mi+8,568 mi
- 14/05/2012119,077 mi+13 mi
- 20/05/2013121,059 mi+1,982 mi
- 20/05/2013121,059 mi
- 24/01/2014125,005 mi+3,946 mi
- 23/01/2015138,694 mi+13,689 mi
- 29/01/2016150,121 mi+11,427 mi
- 30/01/2016150,142 mi+21 mi
- 08/02/2017166,905 mi+16,763 mi
- 09/02/2017166,911 mi+6 mi
Average of roughly 10,479 miles per year across 18 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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