Used BMW 3 Series 2019-present reliability

Most examples of this generation 3 Series will still be found within the BMW franchised dealer network, so they’ll most likely still look like new. Do all the usual checks, though, such as looking for kerb damage on alloy wheels, scratches to the paintwork, damage to the bumpers and any stains in the carpet and or seat upholstery. All the electronics should still work, but they’ll still be covered under warranty if anything isn’t operating as it should.

Crankcase bearing bushing

This recall affects some 3 Series models made from 11 March and 9 July 2019, and concerns a crankcase bearing bushing that might not have been pressed into the engine correctly. This may sound like a minor issue, but cars that are involved will actually need to have a new engine fitted, so speak to a BMW dealer for further information.

Central rear headrest

Some 3 Series built between 5 and 31 July 2019 could have a problem with the central rear headrest. Speak to a BMW if you think your car is affected by this recall because it will need to have the headrest replaced to sort this issue.

Battery pack short circuit

Debris from the welding process might not have been cleaned out of the battery packs of some 3 Series' manufactured between 3 March and 22 September 2020, and could potentially cause a short circuit. Speak with a BMW dealer for further information because the pack may have to be replaced in examples affected by this recall.

In our latest 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, the 3 Series petrol finished in second place in the executive car class out of 18 cars with an excellent overall score of 97.5%. The diesel finished in fifth place with a good score of 96%.

Reliability rating 97.5%

Petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the latest BMW 3 Series are more dependable than diesels: owners told us 13% went wrong, with the most common fault areas being electrics, the engine and infotainment. BMW paid for 96% of repairs and fixed two-thirds of cars in less than a week.

On the whole, the 3 Series scored higher than its rivals the Audi A4 and the Mercedes C-Class, with the exception of the diesel-engined cars. Check out the full list of executive cars here.

BMW as a brand does better on average than Mercedes and Audi, finishing in eighth place overall out of 32 car manufacturers. Check out the full list of manufacturers here.

To read more from our Reliability Survey in detail, check out the full results here.

Used BMW 3 Series reliability: the owners' view

The BMW 3 Series owners told us about their experiences as part of our annual Reliability Survey. While most said their cars had been reliable, there were some notable exceptions. Most of these were for minor issues and mainly related to glitches with the car’s infotainment system.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of servicing their cars using BMW main dealers, with several noting that this was more costly than they were expecting. A small number of readers also expected their cars to come with a longer warranty than the three years BMW offers.