2001 BMW 3 Series 2.2L Petrol · Y347 AEC
2001 BMW 3 Series (2.2L, petrol). First registered 19 Apr 2001. Recorded mileage 111,781 miles. MOT expired on 25 Apr 2024.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 25 Apr 2024
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 111,781 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.2L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Archived Record
Registration no longer recorded by DVLA. This usually means the vehicle is now using a private plate.
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
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.
Y347 AEC Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/04/2023
- 111,781 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
Y347 AEC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 BMW 3 Series (Y347 AEC) between April 2022 and April 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 18 April 2023 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: Suspension (4 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 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 Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 205/55 r16 (5.2.3 (e))”; “Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))”.
Y347 AEC Mileage History
- 27/04/2022108,796 mi
- 17/04/2023111,779 mi+2,983 mi
- 18/04/2023111,781 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 3,063 miles per year across 3 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.
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Caution is strongly advised before purch
Any prospective buyer should arrange an independent inspection before committing, ideally at a BMW specialist familiar with the E46 generation. The April 2023 fail flagged an excessively worn front suspension arm ball joint on the offside, and a worn rear bush on the nearside front arm — these are wear-and-tear items on a 22-year-old car but, if not replaced, will quickly cause an MOT failure and compromise handling. The oil leak flagged in 2022 and again in 2023 as 'not excessive' should be checked for severity, source (likely valve cover gasket or sump on the 2.2 petrol), and whether it has worsened since. Front brake pads were noted as wearing thin at the most recent test, so budget for replacement discs and pads if not already done.
When negotiating, use the failed test, the worn suspension bushes, and the brake wear as leverage to reduce the asking price. There is no service history visible in the supplied data, so ask the seller for any documented receipts and treat the absence of paperwork as a further risk factor. Check that the front tyres now meet the legal 1.6mm minimum, as one was below requirement in April 2023. Confirm that both rear direction indicators have been replaced or corrected to standard colour, as they were also non-compliant at the fail.
The 2,171cc petrol unit in this E46 3 Series is well known for being more characterful than economical, typically returning around 28-34 mpg in mixed use depending on driving style. Road tax for a petrol car registered before March 2001 with this engine size will be in the higher pre-2006 bands, so verify the VED rate using the current V5C reference before purchase. Insurance group is likely to sit in the lower-to-mid teens for the 2.2 variant, which is moderate for a compact executive saloon.
Annual maintenance on a 25-year-old BMW E46 typically exceeds that of mainstream family cars of the same age, particularly for suspension components, cooling system parts, and electrical items. Realistically, budget around £1,200-£1,700 per year if you intend to keep the car road-legal and reliable, including consumables, an MOT, and a modest contingency for unexpected repairs. The persistent oil leak and suspension wear noted in the MOT history make a higher maintenance outlay more probable in the first year of ownership.
Begin with a physical inspection of the front suspension, paying close attention to the front control arm ball joints and rear bushes, both of which were flagged on this car. Jack the car up and check for play by hand, as MOT testers noted both 'excessively worn' and 'slight play' on these components in successive tests. Inspect the front brake pads and discs for remaining material and lip, and confirm whether the tyres now meet legal tread depth across all four corners. The 205/55 R16 size mentioned at the 2023 fail is the standard fitment and replacements are inexpensive, but check for uneven wear which can indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues.
Next, look underneath the engine for the source of the oil leak noted at two consecutive MOTs. Common leak points on the M54 2.2 petrol are the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and sump gasket. Check coolant level and condition, as E46 cooling systems are known for plastic component degradation that this MOT data does not cover. Finally, verify all lighting — particularly the rear direction indicator colour, which was non-compliant on both sides at the 2023 fail. A proper test drive should include checking for uneven steering pull, knocking over bumps, and any warning lights on the dashboard, all of which are not visible in an MOT record but are common E46 weak points.
This Blue BMW 3 Series, registered in April 2001, is powered by a 2,171cc petrol engine and has been recorded at five MOT events in the supplied history. The most recent test in April 2023 passed at 111,781 miles, but only after a previous-day fail with multiple defect categories including brake, tyre, suspension, and lighting issues. The aggregate BMW 3 Series data set covers 478,819 vehicles with an average MOT pass rate of 80.3%, which means roughly one in five similar cars fail. With visible wear on suspension components and persistent oil leaks, the record suggests this specific car will likely need maintenance spend in the near term.
The BMW 3 Series across 478,819 analysed vehicles has an 80.3% MOT pass rate, with the most common failures being tyres, shock absorbers, and drive shaft joints — broadly typical wear-and-tear items rather than systemic defects.
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 (Y347 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as Y347AEC.
TRIUMPH
SPRINT
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY
PEUGEOT
106
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
FORD
FOCUS
VOLKSWAGEN
POLO
AUDI
A2
CITROEN
BERLINGO
DUCATI
750
SUZUKI
JIMNY
JAGUAR
XK8
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.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.