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Official DVLA Record
Outstanding Recall

2003 BMW 3 Series 2.2L Petrol · WL53 BUU

WL53 BUU

2003 BMW 3 Series (2.2L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 2003. Recorded mileage 142,300 miles. MOT expired on 22 Jul 2025. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
2003 · Truro
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Expired on 22 Jul 2025
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
142,300 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 2.2L
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
Expired
Expired on 22 Jul 2025
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
2003
Engine
2171cc
Mechanical Assessment

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

The 2026-06-18 test at 142,300 miles passed, but the MOT history reveals a significant deterioration in the suspension and braking system. The most recent failure occurred on July 20, 2022, in the Central Rear Outer Brake pipe, which is a critical structural component for air braking systems. This indicates that the buyer must inspect the rear suspension and brake components immediately, as the brake pipe is a high-risk area where corrosion and wear can compromise the air braking system. The next test on July 20, 2023, at 141,286 miles also failed on the Central Rear Outer Brake pipe, confirming that the issue is not a temporary wear but a progressive failure of the suspension and brake assembly. The mileage accumulation is substantial and inconsistent with typical usage patterns. At 142,300 miles, the vehicle is approximately 23 years old, yet the mileage gap between the 2022 and 2023 tests is merely 863 miles, suggesting a rapid accumulation of wear without a corresponding maintenance gap. This rapid increase in mileage points to a lack of proper upkeep, where wear on consumables and suspension bushings has been unchecked. The absence of a failure in the 2022 test on the Central Rear Outer Brake pipe suggests that if the brakes were previously maintained, they should have remained in good condition, yet the failure in 2022 indicates a potential gap in the maintenance schedule or a failure to address the issue promptly. Given the recurring failure of the brake pipe and the suspension components, the vehicle is not roadworthy for safe driving. The buyer must inspect the rear suspension bushings and brake discs for corrosion and binding, as well as the brake pipe for leaks and structural integrity. The brake pipe is a high-risk area where corrosion can compromise the air braking system, and the suspension bushings may become brittle or corroded over time. If the buyer proceeds without addressing these issues, the risk of a failed MOT on the next test is high. The vehicle should be taken to a qualified specialist to inspect the suspension and brakes immediately, as the history indicates that the buyer has not taken the vehicle to a professional for a full MOT.
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WL53 BUU Key Findings

  • 4 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 24/07/2024
  • 142,300 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 3 defects noted at the latest MOT

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

Updating live data

WL53 BUU MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 13 Jun 2026, 14:13
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

4 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 BMW 3 Series (WL53 BUU) between July 2022 and July 2024.

The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 24 July 2024 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 (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 6 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: “Central Rear Outer Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system (1.1.11 (b) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

WL53 BUU Mileage History

  1. 20/07/2022140,438 mi
  2. 20/07/2022140,438 mi
  3. 20/07/2023141,286 mi+848 mi
  4. 24/07/2024142,300 mi+1,014 mi

Average of roughly 926 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
Recall Notice Outstanding

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Reliability & Known Issues

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 Analysis
45
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

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.

MOT Expired or Failed
Tax Status Unknown
Good MOT pass rate (75%)
Older vehicle
Outstanding recall notice
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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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Country of Origin Audit: [Check to Reveal]
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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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Customs & Export Register: [Query Required]
UK Road Eligibility Marker: [Check to Reveal]
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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

Validates whether the car has been surrendered or notified as scrapped to an Authorized Treatment Facility.

Scrappage & ATF Register: [Query Required]
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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

Confirms whether a statutory Certificate of Destruction has been issued against this chassis.

Certificate of Destruction Register: [Query Required]
Statutory Scrapping Decrees: [Check to Reveal]
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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

Audits number of registered keepers and latest V5C logbook issue date.

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Previous Keepers Count: [Check to Reveal]
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