Motoring Today

BMW 3 Series cost of ownership

Real numbers from 3 BMW 3 Series cars in stock — finance, VED, fuel mix and depreciation.

Reviewed by the Motoring Today Editorial team · methodology in our editorial standards.

How much does it cost to run a BMW 3 Series?

The typical BMW 3 Series on Motoring Today costs around £368/mo on representative PCP/HP finance, emits ~120 g/km CO₂. Annual VED, fuel mix and total cost are itemised below.

Median price
£15,995
Median £/mo
£368
Median CO₂
120 g/km

With four used BMW 3 Series models currently available on Motoring Today, starting from £9,999 cash or a representative monthly payment of £242, many buyers are keen to understand the true cost of ownership. These available models span the years 2015 to 2019, offering a range of options for those seeking this popular executive car. Beyond the initial purchase price, several factors contribute to the ongoing expense of owning a used BMW 3 Series, and understanding these is key to budgeting effectively. The real running costs of any used car involve more than just the upfront purchase. Fuel or energy consumption, whether petrol, diesel, or hybrid, will be a significant ongoing expense. Insurance premiums vary widely based on the driver's profile, location, and the specific vehicle's specification. Road tax, also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), depends on the car's emission levels and registration date, while routine servicing and maintenance are essential for reliability and longevity. Finally, depreciation, which is how much the car loses in value over time, is an important, though often overlooked, cost of ownership. While this introduction focuses on the general categories of expenditure, the detailed tools and calculators on this page provide the specific figures you need to estimate these costs for a used BMW 3 Series. Remember that any finance examples are representative and subject to status.

BMW 3 Series insurance group

18–49 of 50

Median price
£15,995
From £9,850
Median monthly finance
£368/mo
Representative PCP/HP
Median CO₂
120 g/km
Drives ULEZ + VED
Est. depreciation
—
Vs. original list price

Fuel cost at today's prices (updated weekly)

Estimated fuel cost
£1,204 / year
Cost per mile
15.1p / mile

Typical BMW 3 Series running cost for a private driver at 8,000 miles/year. Based on 62 mpg official combined, adjusted ~12% for real-world driving, at today's average pump price of 179.19p/litre diesel (updated 3 Aug 2026).

Pump prices: DESNZ weekly road fuel prices; electricity: DESNZ Quarterly Energy Prices — both Open Government Licence v3.0, updated weekly/quarterly. An estimate for comparison, not a guaranteed cost; your economy, mileage and tariff will vary.

Official MPG, CO₂ & insurance by trim

Trim-level specifications for the BMW 3-Series (Diesel, Petrol, Petrol/Electric Hybrid), across 800 recorded variants.

Performance
102–543 bhp
Power
3.3s
0–60 mph (fastest)
210 mph
Top speed
1,499–3,999 cc
Engine
Economy & running costs
22–68 mpg
Fuel economy
44–297 g/km
CO₂
£600
Road tax (VED)
18–49 of 50
Insurance group
Dimensions & practicality
4,633 mm
Length
2,031 mm
Width
1,434 mm
Height
2,810 mm
Wheelbase
1,528 kg
Weight
5
Seats
4
Doors
Euro NCAP safety
5★
Adult
4★
Child
1★
Pedestrian

The BMW 3-Series M3 (07-13) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:

Manual · Automatic 5 seats New from £15,985
TrimFuelPowerMPGCO₂Ins.
M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 4dr Step Auto [Ult Pk]AutomaticPetrol522 bhp27.7 - 28 mpg22842
M3 CS 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol543 bhp27.4 - 27.7 mpg23049
M3 xDrive Comp M 4dr Step Auto [Ultimate/M Pro Pk]AutomaticPetrol502 bhp28 - 28.2 mpg22942
320i SE Pro 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol181 bhp42.8 - 44.1 mpg14528
318i SE Pro 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol153 bhp43.5 - 44.1 mpg14424
M3 Competition 4dr Step Auto [Ultimate Pack]AutomaticPetrol502 bhp28.8 mpg22341
M340i xDrive MHT 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol368 bhp35.8 - 36.7 mpg17639
M340d xDrive Sport Automatic 4dAutomaticDiesel335 bhp45.6 - 46.3 mpg15942
M340d xDrive Sport Automatic 5dAutomaticDiesel335 bhp44.1 - 44.8 mpg16542
330d MHT Sport 4dr Step AutoAutomaticDiesel281 bhp53.3 - 56.5 mpg13140
330d xDrive MHT Sport 4dr Step AutoAutomaticDiesel281 bhp50.4 - 53.3 mpg14040
330d MHT M Sport Pro Ed 4dr Step Auto [Tech Pk]AutomaticDiesel281 bhp53.3 - 54.3 mpg13641

Manufacturer specifications aggregated across recorded trims; individual cars vary by options and age. Figures are a guide — confirm exact spec with the seller.

Annual VED (road tax) bands

CO₂ bandAnnual VEDShare of stock
Standard rate£20067%
A£2033%

Indicative standard-rate VED. Cars over £40k list price pay an additional supplement for years 2–6.

Fuel mix in stock

Diesel · 67%Petrol · 33%

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a BMW 3 Series?
Running a BMW 3 Series involves several key expenses: fuel, insurance, road tax, servicing and maintenance, and depreciation. While these costs vary based on factors like engine type, driver profile, and mileage, you can buy a used BMW 3 Series from £9,999 cash or from £242 per month. Finance is subject to status; detailed calculators are available on this page.
Is a used BMW 3 Series expensive to maintain?
The cost of maintaining a used BMW 3 Series can vary significantly depending on its age and mileage. While parts and labour might be higher than some non-premium brands, routine servicing is generally predictable. Unscheduled repairs can occur, as with any vehicle, and may be more common on older, higher-mileage examples.
How many used BMW 3 Series cars are currently for sale?
There are currently 3 used BMW 3 Series models for sale. These range in manufacturing year from 2015 to 2019.

More BMW 3 Series resources