2002 BMW 3 Series 3.0L Petrol · S5 RRO
2002 BMW 3 Series (3.0L, petrol). First registered 01/03/2002. Recorded mileage 139,705 miles. MOT valid until 14/11/2026. Taxed until 01/11/2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 14/11/2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/11/2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 139,705 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 3.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Year
- 2002
- Engine
- 2979cc
S5 RRO Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 11/11/2025
- 139,705 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 8 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (16 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
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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S5 RRO Mileage History
- 02/11/2022139,093 mi
- 15/11/2023139,359 mi+266 mi
- 15/11/2024139,644 mi+285 mi
- 20/10/2025139,703 mi+59 mi
- 11/11/2025139,705 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 202 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
S5 RRO 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 2002 BMW 3 Series (S5 RRO) between November 2022 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 11 November 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 (16 issues), Tyres (11 issues), Suspension (6 issues), Lighting (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 37 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: “Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective Sealing ring split (6.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn d bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D BUSH (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution. While the
Focus your investigation on the chassis and braking system. The MOT history shows a significant failure in October 2025 involving anti-roll bar linkages, bushes, and a lower suspension arm ball joint; you must verify that these were replaced rather than merely patched. Additionally, the ABS fault and Engine Management Light (MIL) that caused the October failure should be thoroughly checked to ensure no underlying electronic issues persist.
Negotiate the price based on the unresolved advisories. The vehicle has had an 'oil leak, but not excessive' noted as far back as 2022, and brake pipe corrosion has been flagged repeatedly. These are not one-off issues but chronic conditions that will require financial investment to rectify properly.
The 3.0L petrol engine is a high-capacity unit that will result in higher fuel consumption and a higher annual road tax bracket compared to smaller 3 Series variants. Insurance costs will be typical for a premium executive car of this age, though the engine size may push it into a higher group.
Maintenance costs are expected to be above average. The MOT history indicates a high propensity for suspension wear and corrosion, which are common for a vehicle of this age and mileage. Expect higher-than-average spend on consumables and chassis repairs. The estimated annual running cost is approximately £1,500-£2,200.
A thorough underbody inspection is mandatory. Specifically, look for the corroded brake pipes and coil springs mentioned in the November 2025 and November 2024 reports. Check the condition of the brake hoses, as these have been a recurring advisory since 2022.
Inspect the front suspension components, specifically the anti-roll bar linkages and lower suspension arm ball joints that failed in October 2025. Finally, check the engine bay for evidence of the recurring oil leak and ensure the fuel cap sealing ring has been replaced following its failure in 2025.
This 2002 blue BMW 3 Series with a 2979cc petrol engine has covered 139,705 miles. The MOT record shows a concerning trend where brake hose and coil spring advisories persisted for years before culminating in a comprehensive failure in October 2025. Although it passed in November 2025, several long-term issues, including oil leaks and brake pipe corrosion, remain unresolved.
The BMW 3 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 80%, with common failures typically relating to brakes, headlamps, and exhaust systems.
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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