Is the BMW X3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 97,781 MOT tests, around 52% of BMW X3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 32% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 17%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 84% diesel, 13% petrol. Diesel X3s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol X3 in the data (2004 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 52%
- Likely charged
- 32%
- Depends on the car
- 17%
- MOT tests analysed
- 97,781
Check a specific X3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
X3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many X3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant4 tested | Likely compliant161 tested | Likely compliant314 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant3,689 tested | Likely compliant2,066 tested | Likely compliant1,356 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant11,192 tested | Likely compliant4,824 tested | – |
| 2018 | Likely compliant6,371 tested | Likely compliant1,809 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant8,113 tested | Likely compliant3 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant9,085 tested | Likely compliant7 tested | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car7,073 tested | Likely compliant6 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car6,168 tested | Likely compliant8 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged7,242 tested | Likely compliant7 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged6,928 tested | Likely compliant34 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged4,160 tested | Likely compliant24 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged949 tested | Likely compliant10 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged1,450 tested | Likely compliant26 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,656 tested | Likely compliant62 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged2,516 tested | Likely compliant169 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged3,353 tested | Likely compliant373 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged2,279 tested | Check Euro standard841 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged326 tested | Check Euro standard2,308 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the X3
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 (84% of X3s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (13% of X3s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (diesel) (2% of X3s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
X3s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (17% 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 X3s fare at the MOT too: see the BMW X3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW X3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW X3s in this data were first registered between 2004 and 2021. 2019 was the most common year, with 16,019 tests (16% of the total), and half were registered in 2016 or later.
X3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 87% of the time, at an average of 42,625 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 70% of the time with 108,727 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 X3s likely to comply are from 2016. 9,085 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 81% of the time and averaged 61,296 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol X3s likely to comply are from 2006. 373 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 64% of the time and averaged 132,447 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the X3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (2.9% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (2.6%); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.0%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.7% of tests.
Overall, 80% of X3s passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 71,016 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 97,781 first MOT tests of the BMW X3 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 97,781 MOT tests say about the BMW X3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW X3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 52% of X3s on the road are likely compliant and 32% 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 X3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol X3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel X3 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel X3s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific X3 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 X3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.