Used BMW X3 2018-2024 reliability review

What should I look for in a used BMW X3?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Make sure you check the alloy wheels for kerb damage, particularly on M Sport cars with larger wheels that are more susceptible to striking something. Parking sensors are standard on the X3, so parking dents and scratches shouldn’t be a major issue.

Even so, make sure there are no poor-quality paint repairs to the bumpers and bodywork because they could void the corrosion warranty if they weren’t carried out to the manufacturer's specification.

Some owners have reported the reversing camera being stolen. In response, BMW said: “The position of the reversing camera on a BMW is no more susceptible to theft than comparable cars of other brands. The camera is also discreetly positioned and out of regular sight.”

Replacing the camera can cost around £1000, but you can opt instead to go without and have a plastic cover installed for £133.

The interior is filled with lots of high-quality materials, but since these types of cars tend to be used by families, you should make sure there are no stains on the boot carpet or in the footwells – especially on X3s with a light interior colour.

What are the most common problems with a used BMW X3?

The X3 has been subject to 26 recalls over the years, although most affected relatively small numbers of cars and were resolved by BMW free of charge. The most significant concerns involved safety-critical systems, including airbags, brakes, steering and fuel delivery. Notable recalls included a potentially defective driver airbag inflator that could rupture during deployment, rear brake calipers that could reduce braking performance, fuel system faults that could cause the engine to stall unexpectedly, and steering-related issues ranging from incorrectly tightened steering components to potential failures within the electric power steering system. There were also several recalls involving seatbelt mountings, seatbelt buckles and spoiler attachments. All these issues should have been rectified, but any prospective buyer should check that all outstanding recall work has been carried out, either through a BMW dealer or by reviewing the vehicle's service history.

The largest recalls centred on BMW's well-publicised EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler issue, which affected hundreds of thousands of vehicles across multiple BMW models. In affected X3s, coolant leaks within the EGR system could lead to a fire risk, prompting recalls in 2021 and 2022 to inspect or replace the EGR cooler and update engine management software. More recent recalls have focused on potential fire risks linked to starter motor corrosion and electrical faults, with BMW advising some owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs were completed.

Is a used BMW X3 reliable?

The latest X3, in petrol form, finished in 58th place out of 76 cars in the family SUV category in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, while the diesel version placed 38th, with a good overall score of 93.1%. That's not bad, finishing above the Audi Q5 and Land Rover Discovery Sport, but below the Lexus NX, Porsche Macan and Toyota RAV4.

As a brand, BMW managed a sixth-place finish out of 30 manufacturers featured, with a good overall score of 94.6%. This puts it above rivals from Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen, but below Honda and Toyota.

Used BMW X3: owners' reliability data

In our annual reliability survey, owners said the BMW X3 generally offers a sturdy ownership experience, though a few common faults can result in a costly repair.

Electrical issues are the most frequent headache for owners, with glitches often triggering random dashboard warning lights or causing the main infotainment system to play up. Minor oil leaks and premature wear on the engine mounts have also been highlighted by owners. On the diesel side, earlier models from this era occasionally suffer from tricky AdBlue or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) faults.

When a fault does strike, owner interaction with the BMW dealership network was mixed. While many praised the professional communication, others noted that premium labour rates can make out-of-warranty fixes expensive, and the brand's insistence that certain fluids last a "lifetime" has left some owners seeking independent specialist care instead.

If you would like to see the full reliability list for small cars, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.