Front control arm bushes
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Shimmy under braking
Fix: Replace bushes / arms
€250–600
Common faults, service intervals and costs
BMW 3 Series (F30)
2012–2019
6
engines covered
20
known faults
247,945
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
25
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The BMW 3 Series (F30) was built from 2012 to 2019.
For this generation we cover 6 engines and 20 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear (rear-mounted): it usually appears at 150,000–280,000 km and costs €2,000–4,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (8.2 %), lights, wipers and visibility (8.1 %), brakes (3.3 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0d (BMW B47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0d (BMW N57) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6 turbo petrol (BMW N13) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~4.25 L · every 10,000 km |
| 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~5.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 petrol (BMW B48) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-17FE+ / LL-01 · ~5.25 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Run-flat tyres (harsh, expensive)
usually 0–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Harsh ride; expensive to replace
Fix: Budget accordingly
free / recall
Transfer case actuator motor (xDrive)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 4x4 / DSC warning lights, grinding
Fix: Replace actuator motor / gear
€150–500
Faults by engine
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)
Timing chain at rear of engine
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whirring or rattle from gearbox end at idle
Fix: Act immediately: gearbox-out repair
€1,800–3,500
Swirl flaps
usually 120,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Can break off into the engine
Fix: Replace or blank off
€200–500
EGR cooler / valve
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR components
€400–1,100
2.0d (BMW B47)
EGR cooler recall (2015–2018)
usually 60,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Coolant leaks into the EGR system
Fix: Check recall status; free replacement
free / recall
DPF saturation
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF warning, frequent regeneration
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,800
3.0d (BMW N57)
Timing chain wear (rear-mounted)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine or rattle from the gearbox end
Fix: Replace chain (gearbox out)
€2,000–4,000
EGR cooler recall
usually 60,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2011–2017 only
Signs: Coolant leak into the EGR — fire risk
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
Vacuum pump / oil filter housing leaks
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks
Fix: Reseal
€200–600
1.6 turbo petrol (BMW N13)
Timing chain stretch
usually 60,000–140,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start
Fix: Replace the chain kit
€900–1,600
High-pressure fuel pump / injectors
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hesitation, misfire
Fix: Replace pump or injectors
€400–1,200
Carbon build-up
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Valve cleaning
€300–600
2.0 petrol (BMW N20)
Timing chain guides (plastic)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine at 2,000–3,000 rpm
Fix: Replace chain, guides, oil pump chain
€1,500–3,000
Oil filter housing gasket leak
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips onto the belt
Fix: Replace gasket
€250–600
2.0 petrol (BMW B48)
Valve cover / oil filter housing seep
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil misting, burning smell
Fix: Reseal
€250–600
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Steptronic (ZF 6HP / 8HP)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 247,945 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.8 % | 2.0 % | 3.3 % | 4.6 % | 5.8 % | 6.7 % |
| Suspension | 0.4 % | 1.3 % | 3.1 % | 6.0 % | 8.4 % | 10.2 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.6 % | 0.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.6 % | 6.8 % | 8.2 % | 9.4 % | 9.8 % | 10.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.6 % | 4.4 % | 8.1 % | 11.9 % | 15.2 % | 17.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.7 % | 0.9 % | 1.2 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.4 % | 0.7 % | 0.9 % | 1.4 % | 2.2 % | 3.1 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 922 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (25). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Replace the Driver’s Airbag – Takata PSDI-512/01/2026 · R/2025/327
- Airbag Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)18/12/2025 · R/2025/349
- Engine / loss of power Replace the Engine Starter Motor27/10/2025 · R/2025/405
- Airbag Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-521/10/2024 · R/2024/403
- Airbag A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.24/01/2023 · R/2023/016
- Fire risk In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event12/09/2022 · R/2022/261
- Fire risk Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold22/08/2022 · R/2022/255
- Fire risk The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident01/08/2022 · R/2022/206
The other recalls (17) are listed in the app.
Other generations
BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026