BMW 320 (2017)
2017 BMW 320
CarHunch analysed 14,590 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW 320. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 BMW 320 passes its MOT first time in 90.4% of cases, well above the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely impressive—but nearly 27% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a significant concern for any buyer considering one. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (91.5% and 90.1% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.
At 58,000 miles median mileage, these are relatively well-used cars for their age, yet they're only averaging 0.76 failures per test, suggesting robust mechanicals when things go wrong. The real issue is the advisory count: 5.6 items per test is notably high, pointing to accumulated wear on trim, electrics, and non-critical components—so budget for minor fixes and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brake wear, and any electrical gremlins before committing.
What to check before buying a 2017 BMW 320
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 26.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 320
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (79%) | 11,508 | 90.1% | 0.78 |
| Petrol (21%) | 3,081 | 91.5% | 0.69 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 BMW 320 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2017 BMW 320 vehicles fall between 44,552 and 75,372 miles.
2017 BMW 320 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13,197 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 93% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 BMW 320
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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35%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
25.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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17.2%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
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14.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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11.9%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 320?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.