IsItAGoodCar
Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Outstanding Recall

2003 BMW 3 Series 2.9L Diesel · RA03 TWP

RA03 TWP

2003 BMW 3 Series (2.9L, diesel). First registered 24 Jun 2003. Recorded mileage 146,544 miles. MOT valid until 28 Oct 2026. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
2003 · Reading
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Valid until 28 Oct 2026
Road Tax
—
Recorded Mileage
146,544 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
Diesel · 2.9L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official 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.

MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 28 Oct 2026
Tax Status
Checking...
Checking DVLA database...
Fuel Type
Diesel
Year
2003
Engine
2926cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding structural integrity and suspension components. The latest test in October 2025 at 146,544 miles indicates that the car is now dealing with progressive corrosion and wear-related failures. While the vehicle passed, the presence of a corroded rear sub-frame and general underside corrosion suggests that the structural health of the BMW is beginning to decline. The transition from minor advisories to mechanical failures shows the vehicle is reaching a stage of significant fatigue. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,400 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between December 2022 at 122,568 miles and October 2025 at 146,544 miles, representing roughly 24,000 miles over nearly three years. This lower annual usage explains the perishing of tyres and deterioration of ball joint boots noted in 2022, as rubber components and metal surfaces have degraded through time rather than through high mileage. A buyer must prioritize a thorough physical inspection of the rear sub-frame and chassis mounting points, as the record has flagged corrosion in these areas since 2022. The suspension system is a recurring point of failure, with anti-roll bar linkages and ball joints appearing as defects or advisories across multiple tests between 2019 and 2025. Additionally, the braking system requires attention; the repeated pitting and scoring of both front and rear discs noted in the most recent test suggest the components are nearing the end of their functional life and will require replacement soon to maintain stopping performance.

RA03 TWP Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 29/10/2025
  • 146,544 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 7 defects noted at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
70
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: 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.

✓ Valid MOT
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
✗ Outstanding recall notice
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for RA03TWP

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Stolen
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Finance
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Write-off
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Salvage
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Imported
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Exported
UNVERIFIED
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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V5C Logbook
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Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges
Recall Notice Outstanding

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RA03 TWP Mileage History

  1. 10/12/2021116,880 mi
  2. 20/12/2022122,568 mi+5,688 mi
  3. 22/04/2024130,719 mi+8,151 mi
  4. 23/04/2024130,719 mi
  5. 29/10/2025146,544 mi+15,825 mi

Average of roughly 7,635 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

RA03 TWP MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 17:41
MOT Analysis

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 2003 BMW 3 Series (RA03 TWP) between December 2021 and October 2025.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 29 October 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (7 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 18 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 Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY