2005 BMW 3 Series 2.2L Petrol · CA05 BVO
2005 BMW 3 Series (2.2L, petrol). First registered 29 Jun 2005. Recorded mileage 138,230 miles. MOT valid until 29 Oct 2026. Taxed until 01 Apr 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Cardiff
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 29 Oct 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Apr 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 138,230 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.2L
- 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.
CA05 BVO Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 30/10/2025
- 138,230 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
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CA05 BVO Mileage History
- 09/03/2022133,599 mi
- 22/03/2023136,063 mi+2,464 mi
- 30/10/2025138,230 mi+2,167 mi
Average of roughly 1,271 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
CA05 BVO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 BMW 3 Series (CA05 BVO) between March 2022 and October 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 5 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A potentially solid option for a petrol enthusiast, provided the mechanical history matches the clean recent MOT records. The low frequency of recorded defects in recent years is a positive indicator for a vehicle of this age.
When viewing this 2.2-litre petrol BMW, focus on verifying the service history, as the MOT records alone do not confirm regular maintenance. Given the high mileage of 138,230 miles, you should check for any signs of oil leaks or cooling system issues, which are common as these engines age.
Negotiate based on the mileage; while the MOT history is clean, the vehicle has covered much more ground than the typical 3 Series in this dataset. Ask for proof of recent major service items, such as timing chain inspections or suspension component replacements, to ensure the vehicle's longevity.
Running costs for this 2171cc petrol engine will be higher than a modern equivalent. Expect moderate fuel economy typical of a mid-2000s executive saloon, and insurance groups for BMWs of this era tend to be mid-range.
Maintenance costs should be budgeted for higher due to the vehicle's age and mileage. While the MOT history shows no recent failures, the model aggregate data suggests that tyres, shock absorbers, and drive shaft joints are common failure points that you should prepare to fund.
Based on the aggregate data for this model, pay close attention to the suspension system. Specifically, inspect the shock absorbers and drive shaft joints, as these are identified as top MOT failure reasons for the 3 Series.
Additionally, check the condition of the tyres, as this is another frequent reason for failure in this model range. Given the 2025 MOT passed with no defects, look for any signs of uneven tyre wear which could indicate underlying suspension or alignment issues that haven't yet triggered an MOT failure.
This 2005 BMW 3 Series petrol model presents with 138,230 miles on the clock, which is significantly higher than the model average of 7,248 miles per year. However, the MOT history for this specific registration (CA05BVO) shows three consecutive passes since 2022 with no recorded defects or failures. This suggests that while the mileage is high, the vehicle has met recent regulatory standards without immediate mechanical intervention required for MOT compliance.
The BMW 3 Series shows an average MOT pass rate of 80.2%, with common mechanical failures occurring in the suspension and drivetrain components.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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