Last update 16. 02. 2024
The ADAC breakdown statistics determine which BMW models are the most reliable and which have broken down most – a good help when buying a used BMW 3 Series.
In the statistics for 2023, all the breakdowns for which the German Yellow Angels had to move out in 2022 were recorded and evaluated. There is enough data available that gives an objective picture of the reliability of the BMW 3 Series.
Listed are all breakdowns of the vehicles between 3 and 10 years old. Causes such as an empty fuel tank (as a clearly self-inflicted breakdown) or tyre defects are not included in the ADAC reliability index. The evaluation of the breakdown frequency follows the colour scheme from dark green (= very low ) to red (= very high).
BMW 3 Series Reliability
Breakdowns in the 2022 calendar year
| EZ | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| index | 0,8 | 2,0 | 3,1 | 3,9 | 4,6 | 5,9 | 10,1 | 9,9 |
Breakdowns in the 2020 calendar year
| EZ 2011 | EZ 2012 | EZ 2013 | EZ 2014 | EZ 2015 | EZ 2016 | EZ 2017 | EZ 2018 |
| 14,1 | 10,7 | 8,5 | 7,0 | 4,2 | 3,3 | 2,2 | 1,1 |
Breakdowns in the 2019 calendar year
| EZ 2010 | EZ 2011 | EZ 2012 | EZ 2013 | EZ 2014 | EZ 2015 | EZ 2016 | EZ 2017 |
| 18,2 | 14,7 | 9,7 | 7,8 | 6 | 3,4 | 1,6 | 1,7 |
Legend: Number of breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles registered (= breakdown index) by year of first registration (EZ)
Common Breakdowns
- Fuse and relay box (2010)
Source: ADAC
If you wish to know more about eventual problems of a specific car (e.g. real mileage, potential traffic accidents damages, odometer rollback, repairs, etc.), then we suggest going to this page.
See the Reliability of other Makes
Recent 3 Series Recalls
Currently 5101 Recalls