2012 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Diesel · T70 YCY
2012 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Feb 2012. Recorded mileage 129,052 miles. MOT valid until 20 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2012
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 129,052 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 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.
T70 YCY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 17/07/2026
- 129,052 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
T70 YCY 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 2012 BMW 3 Series (T70 YCY) between March 2022 and July 2026.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 10 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (5 issues), Lighting (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 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.
T70 YCY Mileage History
- 04/03/202262,123 mi
- 16/06/202381,324 mi+19,201 mi
- 19/07/202496,926 mi+15,602 mi
- 22/07/2025111,064 mi+14,138 mi
- 17/07/2026129,052 mi+17,988 mi
Average of roughly 15,320 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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.
Digital Service History
Access verified franchised dealer maintenance records for T70YCY.
Unlock Manufacturer Digital Service Records
Check franchised dealer maintenance history for T70YCY. Our direct integration verifies routine service events, workshop operations, recorded mileage, and technician logs.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution. While the MOT hist
Prioritise a review of the service history to see if the coolant leak noted in July 2025 was professionally repaired. Given the mileage, check for evidence of timing chain or DPF maintenance, which are critical for diesel engines of this era.
Negotiate based on the current state of the tyres; the July 2026 MOT specifically noted rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and a nail in the offside rear. Ensure that the steering and suspension play mentioned in 2023 and 2025 has been rectified, as these are common wear points for this model.
The 1995cc diesel engine is designed for efficiency, particularly on longer journeys, though fuel economy will vary based on driving style. Insurance and road tax will be aligned with the 2012 BMW 3 Series specifications for this engine size.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average due to the vehicle's age and mileage exceeding 129,000. Budget for the replacement of wear-and-tear items such as suspension linkages and tyres, which have appeared repeatedly in the MOT history.
Perform a thorough inspection of the tyres, specifically the rear pair, as the most recent MOT (July 2026) flagged them as worn close to the legal limit with a nail in the offside rear. Check the engine bay for signs of fresh coolant leaks or residue, referencing the advisory from July 2025.
Inspect the steering and suspension components for play. Specifically, look for wear in the anti-roll bar linkages and drag link ends, both of which were flagged as having 'slight play' in the 2025 and 2023 MOT tests respectively.
This 2012 black BMW 3 Series diesel has recorded 129,052 miles, which is above the model average. The MOT history shows five consecutive passes, but recent tests have flagged a coolant leak and various suspension components. It presents as a typical high-mileage example of this generation, with wear-and-tear issues becoming more frequent.
The BMW 3 Series has an aggregate MOT pass rate of 80.3%, with common failure points typically involving tyres, shock absorbers, and drive shaft joints.
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
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (T70Y Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as T70YCY.
BMW
120 M SPORT MHEV AUTO
FORD
TRANSIT CUSTOM 300 TREND EBLUE
RENAULT
MASTER
BMW
3 SERIES
TOYOTA
GR YARIS CIRCUIT 4WD
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
MERCEDES-BENZ
VITO
HYUNDAI
IONIQ
BMW
118
BMW
435
FORD
RANGER
PORSCHE
TAYCAN TURBO S
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 2012 model year cars.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.