2002 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Petrol · DY52 TWC
2002 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, petrol). First registered 01 Oct 2002. Recorded mileage 120,502 miles. MOT expired on 06 Oct 2015. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Shrewsbury
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 06 Oct 2015
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 120,502 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 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.
DY52 TWC Key Findings
- 14 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 07/10/2014
- 120,502 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
DY52 TWC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
14 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 BMW 3 Series (DY52 TWC) between October 2006 and October 2014.
The record contains 10 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 07 October 2014 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (17 issues), Tyres (10 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (5 issues), Lighting (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 39 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 Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted (4.2.A.1a)”; “Offside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (2.2.D.2a)”; “Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)”.
DY52 TWC Mileage History
- 03/10/200644,436 mi
- 27/09/200753,606 mi+9,170 mi
- 27/09/200753,606 mi
- 30/09/200863,430 mi+9,824 mi
- 30/09/200863,430 mi
- 17/11/200972,699 mi+9,269 mi
- 04/11/201084,121 mi+11,422 mi
- 07/11/201198,438 mi+14,317 mi
- 07/11/201198,438 mi
- 25/09/2012103,810 mi+5,372 mi
- 27/09/2012103,812 mi+2 mi
- 26/09/2013112,775 mi+8,963 mi
- 03/10/2013113,041 mi+266 mi
- 07/10/2014120,502 mi+7,461 mi
Average of roughly 9,495 miles per year across 14 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
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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 2002 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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