Used BMW 3 Series Buying Checklist

What to check on a used 3 Series: its known faults, what it is advertised for, its service interval and the paperwork.

Check a 3 Series by rego

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The 3 Series checklist

  1. Before you go 0/5
  2. Inspection 0/17
  3. Test drive 0/5
  4. Paperwork 0/7
  5. After you buy 0/6

  1. Before you go

    0 of 5

    What a 2025 3 Series is advertised for

    Asking price
    $87k to $111k
    Odometer
    2k to 5k km

    Asking prices, not sale prices: the middle 60% of the 323 advertised in the last 12 months, one listing per car.

  2. Inspection

    0 of 17

    What to check on a 3 Series

    The 3 Series's known problems, in full

  3. Test drive

    0 of 5

  4. Paperwork

    0 of 7

    Money owing and write-offs on the 3 Series

    7% had money owing
    13% were recorded as written off

    Of about 1,000 used BMW 3 Series checked on Carify since November 2023. Every car checked: 9% had money owing and 13% were written off.

    These are cars people chose to check before buying, so they are not a share of every 3 Series on the road. Money owing is what was registered against the car on the day it was checked.

    Where to find the VIN on a BMW

    3 Series (G20) · where to find the VIN
    Line drawing of a BMW 3 Series sedan (G20), numbered where the VIN is
    1. 1. Under the bonnet. Driver's side, engraved into the body.
    2. 2. Base of the windscreen. Passenger side. Read it from outside.
    3. 3. Lower door pillar. Passenger side. Open the front door to see it.

    Drawn on one BMW model: others may differ, and the owner's manual lists the places. Reading a BMW VIN

    Older cars also carry a compliance plate, usually under the bonnet or on a door pillar. A car supplied new since mid 2021 may have none: it is entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles instead.

    Run these checks in one go

    The history report checks for finance owing, write-offs, theft and odometer rollbacks.

    Average rating of 4.9/5 on ProductReview.com.au

  5. After you buy

    0 of 6

    What it costs on top of the price

    It opens on $99,000, the middle of what a 2025 3 Series is advertised for. Put in the price you're offered for the stamp duty, the transfer fee and a year's rego.

    Is the car worth more than the price?
    Stamp duty (motor vehicle duty)
    $4,050

    Over $45,000: $1,350 plus $5 per $100 or part of $100 over $45,000

    Transfer fee
    $42
    Rego, 12 months (estimate)
    $375

    A private car of 1,151 to 1,500 kg tare, less the $100 private vehicle discount on renewals. CTP insurance (the green slip) is bought separately from an insurer and is not included.

    On top of the price
    $4,467

    Duty at Revenue NSW rates as at 27 October 2026 (revenue.nsw.gov.au).

    How stamp duty works in NSW

Questions

What should I check when buying a used BMW 3 Series?

On a 3 Series, check cooling system (E46); cold-start sounds; oil leaks, on top of the checks for any used car: the body, tyres and engine, a test drive, and the paperwork for money owing, a write-off and the odometer.

How much is a used BMW 3 Series?

Most 2025 3 Series are advertised at $87,000 to $111,000, with 2,000 to 5,000 km on the odometer. Prices depend on the year, the kilometres, the badge and the condition.

How many used BMW 3 Series have money owing or a write-off?

Of about 1,000 used BMW 3 Series checked on Carify since November 2023, 7% had money owing and 13% were recorded as written off. Across every car checked it was 9% and 13%.

About these numbers: the asking prices and odometer readings of 3 Series advertised for sale in the 12 months to November 2026, one listing per car. They are asking prices, not sale prices. The checklist for any used car.