2002 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Petrol · YP52 UZX
2002 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, petrol). First registered 05 Nov 2002. Recorded mileage 153,301 miles. MOT expired on 30 Aug 2026. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Sheffield
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 30 Aug 2026
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 153,301 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 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.
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.
YP52 UZX Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 01/09/2025
- 153,301 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
YP52 UZX 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 (YP52 UZX) between August 2023 and September 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 01 September 2025 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: Lighting (6 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Steering (3 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 17 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 Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))”.
YP52 UZX Mileage History
- 18/08/2023146,895 mi
- 18/08/2023146,895 mi
- 24/08/2024147,977 mi+1,082 mi
- 29/08/2025153,298 mi+5,321 mi
- 01/09/2025153,301 mi+3 mi
Average of roughly 3,142 miles per year across 5 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.
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
Exercise significant caution before purc
Prioritise a thorough underside inspection. The MOT history for this specific vehicle shows a persistent issue with corroded brake and fuel pipes, as well as recorded 'general corrosion' and 'vehicle structure corrosion' in 2024 and 2025. You should negotiate the price downwards to account for potential upcoming work on the chassis or fuel system.
Ask the seller for evidence of any recent welding or rust treatment, as the 2024 record explicitly noted that the vehicle structure was corroded. Additionally, check the service history for any mention of suspension component replacements, given the repeated failures involving track rod ends, anti-roll bar joints, and steering rack inner joints.
As a 2.0L petrol model, running costs will be higher than a modern equivalent. Expect moderate fuel consumption typical of a 2002 BMW 3 Series. Tax and insurance will depend on the specific insurance group, but older performance-oriented models often fall into mid-to-high brackets.
Maintenance costs are likely to be elevated due to the age and the specific issues noted in the MOT history, such as suspension components and braking systems. An estimated annual running cost for this vehicle is roughly £1,400-£1,800, including fuel, tax, insurance, and anticipated repairs.
Focus heavily on the vehicle's underside and braking system. The MOT history shows a direct repeat of corroded brake pipes and fuel pipes between the August 2025 failure and the September 2025 pass. You must verify that these pipes have been replaced or treated rather than just cleaned.
Inspect the suspension and steering components closely. The records indicate a history of play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint, offside front track rod end, and the steering rack inner joints. Finally, check the condition of the rear brake discs, which were noted as pitted or scored in the most recent test.
This 2002 silver BMW 3 Series has covered 153,301 miles, which is considerably higher than the model average of 7,283 miles per year. The recent MOT history shows a pattern of corrosion affecting brake pipes, fuel pipes, and the vehicle structure itself. While it passed its most recent test in September 2025, the frequency of failures related to mechanical wear and corrosion suggests a vehicle that may require ongoing maintenance.
Aggregate data for this model shows an 80% MOT pass rate, with common failures relating to brakes, headlamps, and exhaust systems.
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 (YP52 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as YP52UZX.
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
SUPERB
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SMART (MCC)
CITY COUPE
MCC
SMART PURE SOFTOUCH AUTO
SMART (MCC)
CITY COUPE
MCC
SMART PULSE SOFTIP SEMI-AUTO
SMART (MCC)
CITY COUPE
MCC
SMART PULSE SOFTIP SEMI-AUTO
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.