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 (G20)
2019–now
4
engines covered
11
known faults
70,508
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
19
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The BMW 3 Series (G20) has been built since 2019.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 11 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is DPF saturation: it usually appears at 150,000–250,000 km and costs €300–1,800 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (9.2 %), lights, wipers and visibility (3.3 %), brakes (1.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0d (BMW B47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 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 |
| 3.0 petrol (BMW B58) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · BMW Longlife-01 FE / LL-17 FE+ · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0d (BMW B57) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 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
Faults by engine
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
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
Coolant loss (plastic coolant pipes / expansion tank)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant warning, sweet smell, level drops
Fix: Find and replace the leaking pipe or tank
€150–600
3.0 petrol (BMW B58)
Coolant loss (plastic coolant pipes / expansion tank)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant warning, sweet smell, level drops
Fix: Find and replace the leaking pipe or tank
€150–600
Oil filter housing gasket leak
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil smell, oil on the engine or the drive belt
Fix: Replace the gasket
€150–500
3.0d (BMW B57)
AdBlue / NOx sensor
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: AdBlue warning
Fix: Replace sensor or doser
€300–900
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 2.0d (BMW B47) 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 |
| AdBlue top-upEmissions | every 15,000 km | €10–30 |
| 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: 70,508 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.8 % | 1.3 % | 1.7 % | 1.9 % |
| Suspension | 0.3 % | 0.8 % | 1.6 % | 2.1 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.5 % | 0.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 7.1 % | 9.2 % | 10.4 % | 9.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.6 % | 3.3 % | 4.2 % | 4.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.4 % | 0.6 % | 0.8 % | 1.3 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (19). 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.
- Fire risk Replace the Engine Starter Motor02/03/2026 · R/2026/054
- Engine / loss of power Replace the Engine Starter Motor27/10/2025 · R/2025/405
- Airbag Replace the Passenger Airbag24/09/2024 · R/2024/428
- Gearbox On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module20/12/2023 · R/2023/354
- Electronics / software On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.20/03/2023 · R/2023/071
- Seat belt It is possible that a damaged seat belt may have been installed into the vehicle during production.09/11/2022 · R/2022/323
- High voltage / charging Manufacturing defect with winding of cell-internal films for high voltage battery17/10/2022 · R/2022/297
- Fire risk Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold22/08/2022 · R/2022/255
The other recalls (11) are listed in the app.
Other generations
BMW 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E88) 2007–2013BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 1 Series (F40) 2019–2024BMW 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (E39) 1995–2004BMW 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW 5 Series (G30) 2017–2023BMW 5 Series (G60) 2023–BMW 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000BMW 6 Series (F12) 2011–2018BMW 7 Series (G11) 2015–2022
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