2008 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Diesel · YH08 YRT
2008 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Mar 2008. Recorded mileage 172,841 miles. MOT valid until 17 Aug 2027. Taxed until 01 Apr 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 17 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Apr 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 172,841 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.
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.
YH08 YRT Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 13/08/2026
- 172,841 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
YH08 YRT 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 2008 BMW 3 Series (YH08 YRT) between July 2023 and August 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 13 August 2026 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 (16 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Steering (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 28 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 Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))”.
YH08 YRT Mileage History
- 26/07/2023137,740 mi
- 05/08/2024149,820 mi+12,080 mi
- 15/08/2025161,461 mi+11,641 mi
- 19/08/2025161,476 mi+15 mi
- 13/08/2026172,841 mi+11,365 mi
Average of roughly 11,508 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A cautious recommendation for a high-mileage diesel. While the recent MOT history is clean, the vehicle's age and mileage require a thorough mechanical inspection.
Given the high mileage of over 161,000 miles, your primary focus should be on the service history to ensure the timing chain and turbocharger have been adequately maintained. Since this is a 1.995cc diesel, check for any signs of oil leaks or excessive smoke, which can be common in older BMW diesel units.
When negotiating, use the high mileage as a lever, but also enquire about the recent MOT failures in 2023 and 2025 to understand what required rectification. Ensure you check the service records for recent replacements of consumables like timing belts or water pumps, which are critical at this age and mileage.
As a 2.0L diesel, this vehicle is likely to offer decent fuel economy on long motorway journeys, though urban driving will increase costs. You should expect it to fall into a moderate insurance group and a standard diesel tax band.
Maintenance costs for a BMW of this age can be higher than average due to the complexity of the components. Budget for regular oil changes and potential repairs to suspension or drivetrain components, which are common maintenance items for this model.
Pay close attention to the suspension and drivetrain. Aggregate data for this model indicates that tyres, shock absorbers, and drive shaft joints are top reasons for MOT failures. Even if the current MOT is clean, these components are likely nearing the end of their service life given the 161,476 miles recorded.
Additionally, inspect the underside of the engine for any signs of fluid leaks and check the condition of the tyres, as these are frequent failure points across the wider BMW 3 Series dataset. A thorough test drive is essential to listen for any unusual noises from the drive shaft or suspension during cornering.
This 2008 BMW 3 Series diesel shows significant usage, having covered 161,476 miles as of its last MOT in August 2025. The MOT history is relatively stable, with passes in 2023, 2024, and 2025, though it has experienced two failures (in 2023 and 2025) that were resolved quickly. The mileage is substantially higher than the model average of 7,248 miles per year.
Aggregate data for the BMW 3 Series shows an 80.2% average MOT pass rate, with common failures related to 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
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