Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Family saloon (G20) and Touring estate (G21) rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2019, with a 480 L boot in the saloon. The sources consider it generally reliable if it has been properly serviced, but several safety recalls affect cars from 2018 to 2021 (steering tie rods, 330i balance shafts, 330e high-voltage battery). Check the VIN with BMW before buying.
- Reliability
- 5.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €17,000 – €40,000
- Monthly cost
- €448
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 320d BVA8.
318d
Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
2.0 diesel with 150 hp and 320 Nm (Ultimate Specs, 2020 automatic version). Entry-level diesel.
320d BVA8
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 190 hp · 5.2 L/100 km · 136 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
2.0 diesel with 190 hp and 400 Nm, 8-speed automatic gearbox; a 6-speed manual was also offered (MotorsDB). The most common version on the used market.
330i BVA8
Petrol · Automatic · 258 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 petrol with 258 hp and 400 Nm, 8-speed automatic gearbox. Check the engine recall on early cars (2018-2019).
330d xDrive BVA8
Diesel · Automatic · 265 hp · Crit'Air 2
Six-cylinder diesel with 265 hp and 580 Nm, all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic gearbox.
330e BVA8
Hybrid · Automatic · 292 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid with 292 hp combined (184 hp petrol + 113 hp electric), roughly 50 to 60 km of electric range according to the data sheets. Boot reduced to 375 L. Check the high-voltage battery recall (2020-2021).
Market prices
€17,000 – €40,000
Indicative range: 2019 to 2025, 55,000 to 150,000 km, listings from dealers.
Collected on 12 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Diesel: EGR clogging and particulate filter, AdBlue sensors
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingOn the diesels, the sources point to the EGR valve and cooler, the particulate filter (incomplete regenerations in urban use) and NOx or AdBlue level sensors that are sometimes temperamental; Euro 6d diesels combine a particulate filter with AdBlue injection (SCR). The same sources consider the car reliable if properly serviced, with mixed use rather than strictly urban driving.
- Versions
- 318d, 320d BVA8, 330d xDrive BVA8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
330e high-voltage battery: recall for fire risk
Manufacturer recallDebris may have got into cells of the high-voltage battery during manufacture at the supplier, which can cause a short circuit and a fire risk; the affected modules are replaced (NHTSA, BMW). An extension of the recall states that the battery may not have been built to specification, with a possible short circuit while charging, and BMW asked owners not to charge it until it was repaired. The production dates quoted (from March 2020 to early 2021 depending on the documents) vary from one source to another, and these campaigns are American: check the VIN with BMW France.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 330e BVA8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Safety Recall 20V-601 High-Voltage Battery - 2020-2021 BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, I8, X3 SAV, X5 SAV — BMW OEMDTC (new tab)
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-601 (batterie haute tension) — NHTSA (new tab)
- BMW expands recall to most 2020-2021 plug-in hybrids over battery fire issue — Green Car Reports (new tab)
Steering tie rods: recall of cars built up to mid-2019
Manufacturer recallThe steering tie rods of G20 cars built between 30 October 2018 and 5 July 2019 (US campaign) can become damaged and break, which affects handling and increases the risk of an accident; the repair consists of replacing both tie rods. An equivalent recall exists for 2018-2019 3 Series cars in the UK. The safety defect is corrected by the recall; confirm using the VIN.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 318d, 320d BVA8, 330i BVA8, 330d xDrive BVA8, 330e BVA8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
330i balance shafts: recall with engine replacement
Manufacturer recallIn the United States, 217 BMW 330i and 330i xDrive cars built between November 2018 and August 2019 were recalled: the needle bearings of the balance shafts may have been fitted incorrectly, and the shaft can work loose and cause severe engine damage. BMW replaces the engine free of charge. Fiches-auto also mentions a January 2020 recall for a balance shaft defect that could seize the engine on cars built up to September 2019.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 330i BVA8
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “BMW Série 3”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €140 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €92 |
| Maintenance | €36 |
| Depreciation | €180 |
| Total per month | €448 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€140
320d BVA8 version: combined consumption of 5.2 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.2 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €140
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€92
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€36
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€180
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
BMW Série 3 VII (G20/G21) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the VIN checked by BMW France: steering tie rods (2018-2019 cars), 330i engine (2018-2019) and 330e high-voltage battery (2020-2021).
- 330e: ask for proof of the work done on the high-voltage battery and have the battery fault codes read before buying (Carverif recommends a diagnostic).
- Diesel: have an OBD diagnostic done (EGR, particulate filter, NOx and AdBlue sensors) and be wary of exclusively urban use.
- Insist on the full service book, with oil changes and invoices from BMW or a specialist.
- Test the steering at low speed: any play or clunking must be checked.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the recalls (tie rods, engine, high-voltage battery) been carried out by BMW? Do you have the certificates?
- Diesel: have the particulate filter, EGR valve or AdBlue system ever been repaired? How is the car used (town or road)?
- 330e: has the high-voltage battery been checked or replaced, and was the car charged regularly?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
B8 · 2014–2023
- Price
- €10,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Superb
III · 2015–2024
- Price
- €13,700 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 508
II · since 2018
- Price
- €14,990 – €31,990
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tesla Model 3
I · since 2019
- Price
- €21,000 – €47,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Electric
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the BMW Série 3 VII (G20/G21) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the BMW 3 Series G20 have?
5 stars in 2019: 97% for adult protection, 87% for children, 87% for vulnerable road users and 76% for safety assist. According to BMWBlog, the rating applies to the saloon with the 2.0 diesel or petrol engine.
What is the boot size of the 3 Series G20?
480 litres for the saloon (Caradisiac, Ultimate Specs), 375 litres for the 330e plug-in hybrid (Fiches-auto). The Touring estate (G21) offers 500 to 1,510 litres according to BMW France.
Is the BMW 3 Series G20 reliable?
The sources consider it generally reliable if properly serviced, but they are not independent studies. Watch mainly for the 2018 to 2021 safety recalls and, on the diesels, the EGR, particulate filter and AdBlue.
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