2005 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Petrol · LK55 VAH
2005 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, petrol). First registered 04 Oct 2005. Recorded mileage 169,597 miles. MOT expired on 06 Apr 2026. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 06 Apr 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 169,597 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.
LK55 VAH Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT failed on 14/04/2026
- 169,597 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LK55 VAH MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 BMW 3 Series (LK55 VAH) between April 2023 and April 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 14 April 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (4 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 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 Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”.
LK55 VAH Mileage History
- 04/04/2023149,478 mi
- 08/04/2024154,070 mi+4,592 mi
- 31/03/2025161,885 mi+7,815 mi
- 04/04/2025161,885 mi
- 14/04/2026169,597 mi+7,712 mi
Average of roughly 6,644 miles per year across 5 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.
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2005 model year cars.
- 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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