Is the BMW M3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 15,787 MOT tests, around 55% of BMW M3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 7% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 38%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 100% petrol. Petrol M3s are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 1999 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 55%
- Likely charged
- 7%
- Depends on the car
- 38%
- MOT tests analysed
- 15,787
Check a specific M3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
M3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many M3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Likely compliant903 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant1,015 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant764 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant562 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant225 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant455 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant606 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant690 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant644 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant728 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant1,132 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant456 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant356 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard1,018 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard1,423 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard1,986 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard1,245 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard333 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged118 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged199 tested |
| 1997 | Likely charged216 tested |
| 1996 | Likely charged169 tested |
| 1995 | Likely charged131 tested |
| 1994 | Likely charged68 tested |
| 1990 | Likely charged50 tested |
| 1989 | Likely charged57 tested |
| 1987 | Likely charged52 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the M3
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).
- Petrol (100% of M3s tested): likely compliant from 2006; 1999 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Thinking of buying one? Check how M3s fare at the MOT too: see the BMW M3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW M3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW M3s in this data were first registered between 1987 and 2018. 2003 was the most common year, with 1,987 tests (13% of the total), and half were registered in 2007 or later.
M3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 88% of the time, at an average of 59,385 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 80% of the time with 102,615 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 petrol M3s likely to comply are from 2006. 356 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 87% of the time and averaged 81,850 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the M3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (1.6% of tests); tyres: "has ply or cords exposed" (1.4%); suspension: "fractured or broken" (1.2%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 8.5% of tests.
Overall, 85% of M3s passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 77,144 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 15,787 first MOT tests of the BMW M3 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 15,787 MOT tests say about the BMW M3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW M3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 55% of M3s on the road are likely compliant and 7% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006).
Which petrol M3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol M3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
How can I check if a specific M3 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 · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your M3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.