BMW 320 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,114 MOT tests from 333 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 320 has the same fault.

BMW 320's have a extremely good reliability rating of 795/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 320 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 320 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	775/999Very good	79,226 miles	3,420 vehicles
Petrol	2019	853/999Excellent	70,278 miles	2,710 vehicles
Petrol	2018	793/999Very good	72,060 miles	1,124 vehicles
Diesel	2016	769/999Very good	81,220 miles	3,997 vehicles
Petrol	2015	787/999Very good	72,217 miles	960 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 320?

Based on 2,114 MOT tests from 333 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

333

MOT tests

2,114

Pass rate

88.5%

Median mileage

71,660 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 320 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 838 out of 999.

Common BMW 320 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 374 advisory comments and 85 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 109 advisory comments and 16 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 68 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 52 advisory comments and 8 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 5 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

BMW 320 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2021	5	17	94.1%	Tyre wear
2020	27	132	89.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	60	323	92.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	69	487	86.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	90	710	89.4%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2016	27	227	89.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	10	44	88.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	9	36	86.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	6	33	84.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	5	19	68.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	5	57	77.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 320

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a BMW 320?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 320s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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