Is the BMW 3 Series ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 507,550 MOT tests, around 43% of BMW 3 Series still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 38% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 19%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 60% diesel, 35% petrol. Diesel 3 Series are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol 3 Series are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 43%
- Likely charged
- 38%
- Depends on the car
- 19%
- MOT tests analysed
- 507,550
Check a specific 3 Series
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
3 Series ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 3 Series of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely compliant10 tested | Likely compliant6 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant22 tested | Likely compliant494 tested | Likely compliant538 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant3,831 tested | Likely compliant6,560 tested | Likely compliant9,087 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant11,649 tested | Likely compliant10,192 tested | Likely compliant4,069 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant13,787 tested | Likely compliant7,483 tested | Likely compliant3,872 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant20,986 tested | Likely compliant5,632 tested | Likely compliant4,620 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant23,296 tested | Likely compliant5,919 tested | Likely compliant2,901 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car27,840 tested | Likely compliant4,303 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car28,723 tested | Likely compliant4,061 tested | Likely compliant8 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged28,181 tested | Likely compliant7,211 tested | Likely compliant39 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged28,723 tested | Likely compliant5,708 tested | Likely compliant22 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged23,185 tested | Likely compliant7,170 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged20,159 tested | Likely compliant8,194 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged15,313 tested | Likely compliant10,032 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged13,959 tested | Likely compliant11,723 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged15,462 tested | Likely compliant14,641 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged12,396 tested | Likely compliant10,195 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged7,142 tested | Check Euro standard7,581 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged3,508 tested | Check Euro standard8,203 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged2,374 tested | Check Euro standard9,822 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged1,200 tested | Check Euro standard8,113 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged496 tested | Check Euro standard5,640 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged224 tested | Likely charged3,233 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged22 tested | Likely charged3,138 tested | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged19 tested | Likely charged2,390 tested | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged25 tested | Likely charged1,790 tested | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged24 tested | Likely charged1,260 tested | – |
| 1995 | Likely charged20 tested | Likely charged844 tested | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged22 tested | Likely charged514 tested | – |
| 1993 | Likely charged9 tested | Likely charged527 tested | – |
| 1992 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged525 tested | – |
| 1991 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged787 tested | – |
| 1990 | Likely charged4 tested | Likely charged1,324 tested | – |
| 1989 | – | Likely charged1,008 tested | – |
| 1988 | Likely charged2 tested | Likely charged612 tested | – |
| 1987 | Likely charged2 tested | Likely charged374 tested | – |
| 1986 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged201 tested | – |
| 1985 | – | Likely charged94 tested | – |
| 1984 | – | Likely charged57 tested | – |
| 1983 | – | Likely charged67 tested | – |
| 1982 | – | Likely charged56 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 3 Series
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (60% of 3 Series tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (35% of 3 Series tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (5% of 3 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
3 Series from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (19% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 3 Series fare at the MOT too: see the BMW 3 Series MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW 3 Series for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW 3 Series in this data were first registered between 1982 and 2022. 2013 was the most common year, with 35,432 tests (7% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
3 Series from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 80% of the time, at an average of 76,569 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 69% of the time with 114,698 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 3 Series likely to comply are from 2016. 23,296 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 85% of the time and averaged 71,311 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 3 Series likely to comply are from 2006. 10,195 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 66% of the time and averaged 132,520 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 3 Series's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (4.2% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.8%); suspension: "has a serious fluid leak" (2.5%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.6% of tests.
Overall, 75% of 3 Series passed first time, slightly above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 95,476 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 507,550 first MOT tests of the BMW 3 Series carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 507,550 MOT tests say about the BMW 3 Series and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW 3 Series ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 43% of 3 Series on the road are likely compliant and 38% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 3 Series years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 3 Series first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 3 Series ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 3 Series from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 3 Series is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your 3 Series ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.