2003 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · MW53 KGA
2003 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 19 Dec 2003. Recorded mileage 241,539 miles. MOT expired on 21 Jan 2026. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Manchester & Merseyside
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Jan 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 241,539 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- 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.
MW53 KGA Key Findings
- 29 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 22/01/2025
- 241,539 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 10 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MW53 KGA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
29 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (MW53 KGA) between December 2006 and January 2025.
The record contains 19 passes and 10 failures.
The most recent test on 22 January 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 10 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (37 issues), Lighting (12 issues), Suspension (10 issues), Tyres (8 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 36 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: “Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”; “Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))”.
MW53 KGA Mileage History
- 21/12/200649,504 mi
- 20/12/200764,884 mi+15,380 mi
- 20/12/200764,884 mi
- 19/12/200881,952 mi+17,068 mi
- 18/12/2009100,053 mi+18,101 mi
- 20/12/2010110,288 mi+10,235 mi
- 19/12/2011118,904 mi+8,616 mi
- 19/12/2012131,953 mi+13,049 mi
- 19/12/2012131,953 mi
- 14/12/2013144,695 mi+12,742 mi
- 18/12/2013144,703 mi+8 mi
- 15/12/2014148,347 mi+3,644 mi
- 19/12/2014148,348 mi+1 mi
- 17/12/2015156,817 mi+8,469 mi
- 18/12/2015156,817 mi
- 14/12/2016172,508 mi+15,691 mi
- 14/12/2016172,508 mi
- 18/12/2017184,818 mi+12,310 mi
- 12/12/2018196,149 mi+11,331 mi
- 18/12/2018192,379 mi-3,770 mi
- 16/12/2019207,607 mi+15,228 mi
- 16/12/2019207,607 mi
- 23/12/2020213,192 mi+5,585 mi
- 20/12/2021219,857 mi+6,665 mi
- 22/12/2021219,925 mi+68 mi
- 04/01/2023226,424 mi+6,499 mi
- 18/01/2024232,721 mi+6,297 mi
- 20/01/2024232,784 mi+63 mi
- 22/01/2025241,539 mi+8,755 mi
Average of roughly 10,616 miles per year across 29 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: Below Average
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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