What year BMW 320i SE is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1988 BMW 320i SE has the highest pass rate at 100.0%, out of 655 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW 320i SE MOT failures?

The most common BMW 320i SE MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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BMW 320i SE — Reliability by Year

3,146 vehicles · MOT data 1987–2008 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 320i SE was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

1988

100.0% pass rate · 655 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1990

33.3% pass rate · 606 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
2008	85.4%	105,710 mi	107
2007	79.9%	96,070 mi	171
2005	81.3%	111,931 mi	122
1991	72.9%	106,112 mi	219
1990	33.3%	87,166 mi	606
1989	80.0%	133,634 mi	846
1988	100.0%	60,117 mi	655
1987	—	—	420

Which year BMW 320i SE is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 60,117 miles (newest year) to 133,634 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a BMW 320i SE.

See the buying guide →

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