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BMW 3 Series vs Skoda Octavia: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the BMW 3 Series does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 2.5 percentage points ahead of the Skoda Octavia on first-time MOT passes. Its raw pass rate is the lower of the two (79.9% against 80.5%) because BMW 3 Series on the road are older on average: cars of their age pass 75.1% of the time, against 78.1% for cars the age of the Skoda Octavia fleet. That comparison covers 69,361 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

BMW 3 Series
Pass rate79.9%
Age-matched national75.1%
Difference+4.9
Tests48,624
Skoda Octavia
Pass rate80.5%
Age-matched national78.1%
Difference+2.4
Tests20,737

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly BMW 3 Series registered 1999–2022 and Skoda Octavias registered 2005–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

BMW 3 Series

F30 (2012–2019) / G20 (2019–present) · D-segment executive saloon and touring estate. The most popular used premium car in the UK by volume. Available in a wide range of engines: 316i, 318i, 320i, 330i petrols; 316d, 318d, 320d, 330d diesels; 330e plug-in hybrid. Saloon, Touring (estate), and Gran Turismo body styles.

The BMW 3 Series (F30 2012–2019, G20 2019-on) rewards disciplined maintenance. On the pre-2015 N47 diesel, owners report the rear-mounted timing chain failing, an engine-out repair, so ask for chain history. The B47 diesel and B48 petrol that followed from 2015 are much better regarded. Full BMW-dealer or specialist service history is essential.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2022/255recall
    Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
    322,745 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 3 December 2014 and 12 July 2021
    Large recall — 322,745 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Safety recall R/2022/206recall
    The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident
    319,399 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 9 December 2011 and 4 June 2019
    Large recall — 319,399 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • N47 diesel timing chain failure (F30 2012–2015)critical
    Chain rattle on cold start; rattling from rear of engine; engine management light; in severe cases, sudden engine failure
    F30 2012–2015 with N47 diesel (316d, 318d, 320d) · From 60,000 miles; can occur earlier if oil changes were delayed · £3,000–£6,000 timing chain replacement (rear-mounted chain requires engine removal); up to £10,000+ if the chain has jumped and damaged the engine
    Check: This is the single most critical check on any F30 N47 diesel. The N47 chain is rear-mounted — listen for chain rattle at idle with the bonnet up. Ask for proof of timing chain replacement in the service history. If the chain has not been replaced and the car has over 75,000 miles, budget for the repair or walk away. The B47 diesel (post-2015 on the F30 facelift and all G20) is unaffected.
  • Electric water pump failure (N20/B46/B48 petrols)major
    Coolant warning light; engine overheating; steam from engine bay; loss of heat from heater
    F30 2012–2019 petrol models (N20 engine) · From 50,000 miles; often fails between 60,000–95,000 miles · £600–£1,200 water pump replacement
    Check: Check coolant level and condition. Ask about any history of overheating or coolant warning lights. The electric water pump on N20 engines is a known maintenance item — not catastrophic if caught early, but a failed pump can cause overheating if ignored. Budget for proactive replacement on high-mileage N20 cars.
Typical asking price:
£5,295–£19,999, median £10,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
47–57 mpg (320d real-world UK mixed motorway); 35–44 mpg (320i petrol real-world)
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:
2019, 2020
Years to avoid:
2012
Used BMW 3 Series for saleFull 3 Series fault guideUsed BMWs

Also compare:

Skoda Octavia

Mk4, 2020+ · compact family hatch and estate (saloon-shaped hatch)

The Mk4 Skoda Octavia (2020+) shares the VW Golf Mk8 platform — including its early infotainment software bugs (resolved in 2023+ updates). The e-TEC 48V mild-hybrid starter generator has occasional faults, and the DSG differs by engine: dry-clutch DQ200 on e-TEC petrols, wet-clutch on 2.0 TDI and vRS. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: 2020–2022 infotainment.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2024/017recall
    On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
    15,729 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 4 May 2020 and 14 November 2023
    Large recall — 15,729 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Mk4 infotainment softwaremoderate
    Touchscreen freezes; haptic-touch climate slider non-responsive; CarPlay drops
    2020–2022 · Free under software update
    Check: Confirm software version updated to ME3.2 or later.
  • eTSI 48V starter generatorminor
    Stop-start unavailable; "mild hybrid" warning
    2020+ eTSI variants · £800–£1,200 unit replacement
    Check: Test stop-start engagement once warm.
  • DSG gearbox — which one depends on the engineminor
    Hesitation or judder pulling away in slow traffic
    All DSG Mk4. The 1.0 and 1.5 e-TEC mild hybrids use the 7-speed dry-clutch DQ200; the 2.0 TDI, the vRS and the iV plug-in hybrid use wet-clutch gearboxes · Wet-clutch gearboxes have a scheduled gearbox oil change; the dry-clutch DQ200 has none · Wet-clutch DSG oil service £350–£500
    Check: Confirm which gearbox the car has from its engine. On a wet-clutch car, the service history should show the scheduled DSG oil change; on an e-TEC car with the DQ200 there is no scheduled gearbox oil service, so do not expect one. Pull away uphill from a standstill to provoke any judder.
Typical asking price:
not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
Fuel economy:
49–57 mpg 2.0 TDI; 42–47 mpg 1.5 TSI
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:
2023, 2024
Years to avoid:
2020, 2021, 2022
Used Skoda Octavias for saleFull Octavia fault guideUsed Skodas

Also compare:

Which one suits you

BMW 3 Series

Good for: Buyers who want a genuine driver's car and are prepared to maintain it properly. Motorway-mile buyers who will use the 320d's diesel efficiency on long UK commutes. Buyers with a BMW specialist garage lined up for servicing.

Less good for: Buyers who want the lowest total cost of ownership — a Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia will cost meaningfully less to run. F30 N47 diesel buyers without verified timing chain history — this is a potentially catastrophic repair. First-time BMW buyers who plan to service it at the cheapest possible garage — BMW models require BMW-specific knowledge and fluids.

Skoda Octavia

Good for: Practical family buyers wanting Golf substance with Skoda value — bigger boot, lower price.

Less good for: Buyers without tolerance for early Mk4 infotainment quirks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Skoda Octavia?
On the MOT measure, the BMW 3 Series: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 2.5 percentage points ahead of the Skoda Octavia on first-time MOT passes, across 69,361 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. Its raw pass rate is the lower of the two (79.9% against 80.5%) because BMW 3 Series on the road are older on average: cars of their age pass 75.1% of the time, against 78.1% for cars the age of the Skoda Octavia fleet. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.
How do the MOT pass rates of the BMW 3 Series and the Skoda Octavia compare?
79.9% of BMW 3 Series pass their MOT first time (48,624 tests in DVSA's records) and 80.5% of Skoda Octavias pass their MOT first time (20,737 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the BMW 3 Series's age average 75.1% and cars of the Skoda Octavia's age 78.1% — so the BMW 3 Series runs 4.9 points better than its age group and the Skoda Octavia runs 2.4 points better than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Skoda Octavia should I avoid?
BMW 3 Series: 2012–2014 F30 with N47 diesel: the N47 2.0-litre diesel used in 316d, 318d, and 320d had a rear-mounted timing chain that stretched and failed prematurely, often at 60,000–95,000 miles. The repair requires removing the engine — costs of £3,000–£6,000 were common. Many N47 engines were replaced under extended warranty or goodwill; survivors without documented chain replacement are high-risk. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2013 and 2014 registrations above all cars registered those years, so they are not named as years to avoid. Skoda Octavia: Pre-2023 Mk4 inherited the Mk8 Golf's infotainment issues directly. Cars built 4 May 2020 to 14 November 2023 are also inside DVSA recall R/2024/017: on Octavias with the electromechanical brake servo and DSG a heat-protection mat may have been fitted wrongly, so the brake-fluid reservoir can melt and leak (15,729 vehicles across Octavia and Superb). Check the registration.
Is the BMW 3 Series or the Skoda Octavia cheaper to run?
On fuel the two are too close to call: the most economical versions return up to 57 mpg (BMW 3 Series) and 57 mpg (Skoda Octavia), on the figures in our model guides. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any BMW 3 Series or Skoda Octavia registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.