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: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Premium SUV rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2017, whose faults Caradisiac considers few and far between: an excellent used buy "if you are prepared to pay for it". Before buying, have BMW check the starter motor recall (fire risk reported) and the service history.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €17,245 – €45,480
- Monthly cost
- €639
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: xDrive20d 190.
xDrive20d 190
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 190 hp · 5.8 L/100 km · 151 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
2.0 diesel with 190 hp, 8-speed automatic gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive.
xDrive30d 265
Diesel · Automatic · 265 hp · Crit'Air 2
Six-cylinder diesel with 265 hp, 8-speed automatic gearbox.
xDrive30i 252
Petrol · Automatic · 252 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 petrol with 252 hp.
xDrive30e 292
Hybrid · Automatic · 292 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid: 2.0 petrol with 184 hp plus an electric motor, 292 hp combined; 12 kWh gross battery; boot reduced to 450 litres.
Market prices
€17,245 – €45,480
Indicative range: 2017 to 2024, yearly medians of 355 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Starter motor recall (fire risk)
Manufacturer recallIn 2025 BMW launched a worldwide recall for a starter motor whose sealing is inadequate: moisture can corrode it, prevent the engine from starting and, in the worst case, cause a short circuit and a fire, even when the car is parked. The X3 G01 is mentioned, but the model years and engines affected vary by market: only the VIN tells you whether a given car is concerned. The replacement is free at BMW; one French owner reports being without the car for three weeks while waiting for the part.
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
- xDrive20d 190, xDrive30d 265, xDrive30i 252, xDrive30e 292
- 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 X3”). 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 | €157 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €70 |
| Maintenance | €83 |
| Depreciation | €329 |
| Total per month | €639 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- 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)€157
xDrive20d 190 version: combined consumption of 5.8 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.8 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €157
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€70
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€83
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€329
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
BMW X3 III (G01) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the VIN checked with BMW: starter motor recall carried out or not, and any other open campaigns.
- Insist on the service book and servicing invoices (oil changes, fluids).
- xDrive30e plug-in hybrid: check that charging works and the electric range displayed with a full battery.
- Check for oil or coolant leaks under the engine.
- Test drive the car from cold: it should start cleanly, with no warning lights on the dashboard.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the starter motor recall been carried out at BMW? Do you have the paperwork?
- Do you have all the service invoices, with dates and mileages?
- For the hybrid: was the car charged regularly, and has the charging socket ever been repaired?
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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Tiguan
II · 2016–2024
- Price
- €16,000 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Škoda Kodiaq
I · 2016–2024
- Price
- €18,000 – €35,700
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Peugeot 3008
II · 2016–2023
- Price
- €7,980 – €17,294
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
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 X3 III (G01) (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
Is the BMW X3 G01 reliable as a used car?
Caradisiac considers that faults are few and far between, and that it is an excellent second-hand choice if you are prepared to pay for it. The first thing to check is the starter motor recall.
What is the boot size of the BMW X3 G01?
550 litres, and up to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded (xDrive20d). The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid drops to 450 litres because of the battery.
What Euro NCAP rating did the BMW X3 G01 get?
Five stars in 2017 (93% adult protection, 84% children, 70% pedestrians), tested on the xDrive30i and xDrive30d versions.
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