2001 BMW 3 Series 2.9L Diesel · Y246 BFS
2001 BMW 3 Series (2.9L, diesel). First registered 01 Mar 2001. Recorded mileage 133,000 miles. MOT status: Failed. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 133,000 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.9L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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.
Y246 BFS Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 28/09/2023
- 133,000 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 30 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (16 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
Y246 BFS MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 BMW 3 Series (Y246 BFS) between November 2021 and September 2023.
The record contains 0 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 28 September 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (16 issues), Suspension (10 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Windscreen (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 29 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 Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural”; “Offside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill and jacking po”; “Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged Brake pipe bracket snapped off chassis (1.1.11 (d) (i”.
Y246 BFS Mileage History
- 09/11/2021132,997 mi
- 28/09/2023133,000 mi+3 mi
Average of roughly 2 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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: Poor
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.
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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 2001 model year cars.
- Rear Subframe CrackingSerious
The rear floor can tear where the subframe mounts attach to the shell, especially on early cars and six-cylinder manuals. Ignoring it risks major structural damage.
- Cooling System OverhaulSerious
Expansion tanks, radiators, thermostats, and plastic-impeller-era water pumps fail with age. One overheating event can ruin the alloy straight-six.
- VANOS Seal WearModerate
The VANOS seals harden with age, flattening low-end torque and making the engine feel lethargic or uneven through the mid-range.
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