2002 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · WK02 AAY
2002 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 05 Mar 2002. Recorded mileage 162,725 miles. MOT valid until 08 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Sept 2026. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Truro
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 08 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Sept 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 162,725 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.
WK02 AAY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 09/07/2026
- 162,725 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
WK02 AAY 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 (WK02 AAY) between July 2024 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 09 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (14 issues), Brakes (7 issues), Suspension (6 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 27 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 Rear Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords sidewall (5.2.3 (d”; “Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”; “Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords sidewall (5.2.3 (”.
WK02 AAY Mileage History
- 08/07/2024147,911 mi
- 04/07/2025152,516 mi+4,605 mi
- 10/07/2025152,516 mi
- 08/07/2026162,725 mi+10,209 mi
- 09/07/2026162,725 mi
Average of roughly 7,400 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
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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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Caution is strongly advised before purchasing this 2002 BMW 3 Series. It has accumulated 152,516 miles and shows a pattern of recurring corrosion and component wear that has already resulted in two MOT failures. The cumulative advisory record suggests an older vehicle that will likely require ongoing attention to brakes, suspension, and tyres.
Given the vehicle's age and mileage, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist or independent garage is essential rather than optional. Pay particular attention to the items flagged at the recent MOT: the supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates an airbag fault that could be costly to diagnose and repair, and the parking brake inefficiency on one side points to rear brake caliper or cable issues. Negotiate hard on price to reflect the cost of likely immediate repairs including tyres, coil springs, brake hoses, and a full brake system overhaul.
Ask the seller for any service history, receipts, and prior invoices — particularly for the brake pipe, coil spring, and steering work that has evidently been required. Check that the recent failures were genuinely rectified rather than simply cleared for the test, and be wary if the seller cannot evidence the repairs. Consider a BMW-specific diagnostic check (ISTA or similar) to read any stored fault codes, especially around the Supplementary Restraint System which can be expensive on E46-generation cars.
Running a 2.5-litre petrol BMW 3 Series of this vintage is not cheap. Real-world fuel economy typically sits in the 25-32 mpg range, and parts — even from quality aftermarket suppliers — are pricier than mainstream equivalents. Road tax falls into a higher bracket than modern cars, and insurance for any 3 Series sits in the middle-to-upper groups; a 23-year-old performance-orientated petrol will likely be group 16-18 territory depending on the driver's profile.
Annual maintenance on a high-mileage E46 typically runs £600-£1,200 depending on what is needed, and this particular car may push towards the higher end given its age and MOT history. Coil springs, brake hoses, tyres, and suspension components are all flagged and any one of these jobs (especially springs and brake pipes on an E46) can run into hundreds of pounds at a specialist. Budget realistically for £900-£1,400 per year in combined running costs including fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance.
The MOT history highlights several recurring themes that should be inspected physically. Corrosion of the rear coil springs and brake pipes/flexi hoses has appeared across both 2023 and 2025 tests — this is a known E46 weak point, and a careful look underneath the car for any surface rust, brake pipe deterioration, or sagging rear suspension is worthwhile. The steering rack inner joint play noted in 2023 is also a common E46 failure; listen for knocking over speed bumps and check for free play at the rack by hand with the wheels off the ground.
The supplementary restraint system warning lamp is the most worrying item from the July 2025 test. This could indicate a faulty airbag, seatbelt pretensioner, crash sensor, or simply a wiring/connector issue under the seat — but on an E46 it is often related to the seat occupancy mat or a failing clock spring in the steering wheel. A diagnostic scan specifically for airbag codes is essential. Finally, inspect all four tyres for age-related cracking (look for the DOT date code on the sidewall) and check that the headlamp alignment can be properly adjusted rather than relying on crude manual tweaks.
This green 2.5-litre petrol BMW 3 Series was first registered in March 2002 and has covered 152,516 miles over approximately 23 years, equating to well above the model's average annual mileage of 7,248. Two MOT failures are recorded (2023 and 2025) alongside two passes, with recurring issues around coil spring corrosion, brake pipe/hose corrosion, steering rack play, and tyre condition. The most recent test in July 2025 passed only after addressing an extensive failure list that included an airbag warning lamp fault, inoperative parking brake, and corroded brake pipe — items that warrant close scrutiny.
Across 477,746 analysed BMW 3 Series records, the average MOT pass rate is 80.2%, and the most common failure reasons are tyres, shock absorbers, and drive shaft joints — broadly consistent with what this vehicle exhibits. The E46 generation (2000-2006) is generally regarded as well-engineered but prone to corrosion and suspension component wear as it ages.
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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