Petrol and diesel cars have been firmly in the crosshairs of environmental legislation in recent years, thanks to the large amount of pollution they pump into the atmosphere, and the limited supply of fossil fuels they use to do so.

Synthetic fuels may pose a solution to both these points, all without needing extensive modifications to existing vehicles. But what exactly are synthetic fuels, how are they made, and are they the answer to the impending 2030 petrol and diesel ban?

Synthetic fuel, also known as e-Fuel, is an alternative to petrol or diesel, but instead of being a refined version of the oil found naturally in the Earth's crust, it's a man-made fuel, produced through complex and innovative processes.

You may have heard of synthetic oil for use in your engine, as they are commonly specified for use in modern vehicles; however, synthetic fuel doesn’t follow quite the same method. Whereas synthetic engine oil starts with crude oil, the constituent parts of synthetic fuels are all extracted in a renewable way, and even the energy used comes from renewable methods such as solar and wind.

At the most basic level, synthetic fuels are a blend of carbon and hydrogen to form a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Almost all fuels we use are hydrocarbons, from natural gas to diesel.

Hydrogen is gathered by extracting it from plain old water, in a process called electrolysis. Whilst it sounds relatively simple, this takes large amounts of energy to do. The other ingredient, carbon, is ideally captured from the large amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, but can also come from processed biomatter. 

Once collected, the hydrogen and carbon are combined and refined into petrol or diesel, depending on the materials used and processing involved.

Yes, the main selling point of eFuels is that they work as direct replacements for fossil-based petrol and diesel. The reliability, economy and performance would be matched by way of additives, just as synthetic engine oils are made.

An alternative to fossil fuels has been a priority for many years, due to both their polluting nature and the finite quantity of crude oil needed to produce them. Thanks to the way e-fuel is made, it is a CO2-neutral process, meaning it does not add CO2 to the atmosphere in the same way burning fossil fuels does. 

This means we can limit the effect our cars have on the environment, and add another option for those not yet ready or able to switch to electric. The prospect of synthetic fuels is so promising that an exemption to the EU 2035 petrol car ban was added.

One of the companies leading the way in synthetic fuel development is Porsche, most likely because the bulk of their business and prestige is from high-performance sports cars such as the 911, and they are famous for their incredible engines.

Whilst they do still emit CO2 into the atmosphere when burnt in an engine, eFuels are made by capturing carbon dioxide out of the air, meaning their carbon emissions are effectively neutralised.

However, one aspect that is not cleaner is the nitrogen oxide emissions; in some cases these have been found to be higher than when using conventional petrol fuel, the same can be said for carbon monoxide and ammonia.

What are the downsides of synthetic fuels?

Synthetic fuels aren’t widely used currently due to both cost and availability. The largest plant in the world in Chile is predicted to output around 55 million litres of eFuel in 2025, which sounds good until you learn that the UK alone uses around 17 billion litres of petrol. 

Because of this scarcity, the price is also very expensive, and with the amount of energy needed to produce it, it's not likely to come down to a price near that of normal fuels in the next few years. 

Another downside, especially when compared to electric vehicles, is the emissions that are still released when burned. As we discussed above, the NOx and carbon monoxide levels can actually be higher in some cases. This, coupled with the carbon dioxide emissions, means eFuelled vehicles will still need to be controlled in cities and large towns. 

Will synthetic fuels replace EVs and Hybrids?

Time will tell, but looking at the figures, it seems unlikely, at least for the majority of drivers. What may well happen is that synthetic fuels become available for those wanting to use older performance or vintage cars.

For the masses, though, eFuels will simply be too expensive to justify; hopefully, the cost of purchase and charging infrastructure of EVs will improve before the 2030 deadline. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Synthetic Fuels Explained

China has been a dominating force in manufacturing for decades, with many of the products we buy and use daily being made there. But, until recently, the same could not be said for cars; despite there being numerous Chinese car brands, they never really made much headway in any markets outside of Asia. 

However, with over 10% of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 being made in China, that is changing. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable brands, with some information about their current models. 

 has a long and varied history in the UK, first founded in the 1920s, they were famous for their open-top sports cars like the MG A and MG TF. The brand was owned by numerous companies throughout its life, but was finally bought by the current owner, SAIC, in 2011.

A full-scale re-launch, geared heavily towards cost-effective electric and hybrid cars, started in 2019. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, with very successful models such as the MG5, MG HS and MG ZS.

SAIC, the owner of the MG Europe brand, is the biggest producer of cars in China, and has dozens of factories making both SAIC and MG-branded cars, for inside and outside of China, respectively. 

 was originally a battery manufacturer formed in 1995; they diversified into cars in the early 2000s. Their models are well known for their quirky design and names, notable mentions being the Seal, Sealion and Dolphin. 

Global sales in 2022 hit 1.8 million, making them a significant player internationally. Priced slightly higher than the likes of MG, and with a focus on luxurious interiors, they are targeting the higher end of this new market.

, was founded in 1997, but did not enter the UK market until 2024, with the Omoda 5 launch in March of that year. The brand is offering mid-level vehicles that offer a good amount of tech and luxury, but aren’t as expensive as some more luxury brands. 

Chery is the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in China, and as such has many facilities across the country, its vehicle selection in the UK is currently limited to three models, the Omoda 5, the E5 and the Omoda 9. 

 came to the UK market ahead of most other Chinese brands, with their diesel powered Steed pickup truck in 2012. The Steed didn’t sell in great numbers, but the new ORA brand has. 

Their flagship vehicle being the ORA 3 (originally named the Funky Cat) which is a small, quirky city car, powered by a 170bhp electric motor. With prices starting at just under £25,000, it offers good value compared to the competition. 

GWM is also busy bringing another brand to the UK; HAVAL, which will specialise in SUVs and Crossovers. Their first car; the Jolion Pro. They have also teased what looks like a pickup truck too.

As seems to be common with all the brands discussed here, 

is another offshoot from a larger company, with the aim of targeting a different market. The parent company, Geely, is one of the larger car makers in China, and actually owns a few well-known “European” brands such as Polestar, Volvo and Lotus.

Zeekr is primarily focussed on the luxury market, with three cars in their current lineup, the most notable, the 001, is bucking the trend slightly by offering a shooting brake style 5 door, reminiscent of a larger Porsche Panamera.

The AWD performance model has over 500hp, putting it squarely in the high-end performance EV category. Other models include the angular Zeekr X (expected late 2025) and the 7X to come sometime after that. 

What are the top Chinese car brands?

Many people buy electric cars primarily for the cost saving, the thought being that not having to buy expensive petrol or diesel will save them thousands over the course of a year. But with recent tax changes, and away-from-home charging rising in price, what really is the cost of running a Tesla Model 3?

Road tax, or to use its proper name, Vehicle Excise Duty, is a tax on using motor vehicles on a public road. The rate to be paid depends on a few factors, including the age of the vehicle and its environmental impact. There is also a different rate for the first year a car is on the road.

Another thing to consider is the “luxury vehicle tax”, which is an extra charge on cars with a list price of over £40,000, and is an extra £425 for the first 5 years.

Thanks to its zero-emissions drivetrain, the first year VED on a new Model 3 is £10.

As all Model 3’s were first registered after March 2017 (the Model 3 was first available in the UK in 2019) 

According to the Tesla website, the base spec Model 3 comes in at just under the £40,000 limit; however, almost all cars will have been ordered with one of the many optional extras, putting it above the limit.

The Model 3, therefore, will almost always incur the 

Insurance is calculated by risk, both the risk of your car being stolen and the risk of you having an accident. All cars are sorted into an 

 when put on sale, and this gives a pretty good indicator of what the insurance costs will be. 

The base spec, short-range and 2WD Model 3s are insurance group 38; however, the long-range, or performance models are typically in group 50, which is the highest and most expensive group.

Because insurance varies so much from person to person, with location playing a massive factor too, it’s best to get some indicative insurance quotes that are tailored to you, but be prepared to pay relatively high premiums.

This is the area where you would expect an electric vehicle to do very well, but it is heavily influenced by the places you charge, and your home electricity tariff.

*assuming an electricity rate of 34p / kWh, and charging to 100%

**assuming a 67p / kW rate, charging to 80%

The above figures show it is much cheaper to charge at home, but this isn’t very useful without knowing how many miles you get per charge. Especially in the case of the supercharger stations, where most people only charge to 80% (as charging from 80-100% takes a very long time).

This data is taken from real-world figures of owners, and will depend heavily on the style of driving, the conditions and the health of the battery.

You may remember a few years ago, Tesla offered free supercharging; some people think this applies to all Tesla cars, unfortunately, that's not the case. 

Free supercharging only came on selected models, and only when it was selected as an option from the dealership. It was never available on Model 3’s, only the Model S and X.

However, as Tesla offers the chance to “sell” the supercharging perk back to them when you’re changing cars, not many cars are left with this perk.

One of the biggest advantages of an electric car is its simplicity. They have very few moving parts, so unlike petrol or diesel cars, they don’t have engine oil, air filters, oil filters or fuel filters to change. 

Even brake pads rarely need changing, thanks to the regenerative braking doing most of the stopping. This massively cuts down on servicing costs.

The two things you do need to remember, even with an electric car, are the tyres and the brake fluid. Tyres should be changed 

 - usually when they get below 3mm tread depth. 

Depending on your driving style, EVs tend to be heavier on tyre wear as they typically have more weight and power than a typical petrol or diesel car. 

Tesla Model 3 Running Costs UK

Although they also make hatchbacks, SUVs and trucks, the one style of car Mercedes is most known for is their executive saloons. The E-Class is their mid-size saloon, which competes with the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. 

Mercedes has a reputation for being well-engineered and made, with older models being used the world over as taxis for decades - but does the new E-Class live up to this hype?

After finishing 3rd place in WhatCar?’s reliability survey for luxury vehicles, you would think the E-Class is pretty reliable; however, the brand as a whole finished 24th out of 31. This may be due to the type of cars it was up against in the luxury car class, compared to the likes of Toyota and Honda in the general category.

Recalls are made to fix a manufacturing or design fault that was picked up after the cars had been sold. This requires the owners to bring them back to the dealership, for the remedial work to be done. 

Recall work is not charged to the owner of the car, and is paid for by the manufacturer. To check if your car has outstanding recalls, visit the 

12v Battery may not remain secure in a crash

The 12v battery on the current generation of E-Class is secured by a fixing strap, and is located in the boot. Some models were fitted with an insufficient attachment method, causing the battery to become unsecure. 

The fix is relatively simple, requiring an additional fixation being attached to the battery, which would be done free of charge at a Mercedes dealer. This fault affected around 3,600 cars.

In 4 separate recalls, spanning from 2022 to 2024, multiple issues were detected with the attachment of the wiring harness to the body of the car.

In total this affected around 3,500 cars. However, because they are issued on separate recalls it is difficult to tell if some cars will be affected by the same recall notices. 

As you'd expect, the recall work involves simply fixing the wiring connectors and clips to make sure they are up to specification. As the wiring will be either under the car or buried behind many interior trim panels, expect the dealer to need your car for a few days at least.

Numerous owners have complained of a similar issue, causing an engine warning light on the dash, and in extreme cases a limp-home activation. In this case these were caused by a faulty sensor in the exhaust system. 

It is likely this was a lambda sensor, something that reads the oxygen level in the exhaust gases, something that is vital for the ECU to understand how well the engine is running. A faulty lambda sensor is likely to cause error codes. 

To give an incredibly smooth yet dynamic ride, certain trim levels of the E-class are fitted with air suspension. This is not a new thing in the world of luxury cars, but it almost always becomes a bone of contention, especially as the cars get older. 

Issues arise when the system begins leaking or malfunctioning, which can result in a harsh, uncomfortable ride and sometimes require immediate attention. Whilst most W213 models (the current generation) are unlikely to experience major faults, it is something that adds complexity.

Ranging from transmission ECU problems, infotainment issues, and general wiring niggles, there are a few instances of owners requiring extensive work under warranty to repair electrical problems. 

It’s unclear if these things are related to the wiring recalls listed above or are just a symptom of cars being more and more complex nowadays.

The market for executive saloons is well stocked, with options from Audi, BMW and Lexus, but Mercedes is probably the first port of call for most. Therefore, if you’re looking for something that gives a certain impression, the above issues are probably not much to worry about, especially if your car will still be under warranty. 

That last point, the car being under warranty, is something I would not overlook. With Mercedes dealer repairs being some of the most expensive, you’ll certainly not want to be fixing major issues out of your own pocket.

Mercedes-Benz E Class Reliability Guide

Ford stopped making the Fiesta in 2023, which surprised many as it was one of the most popular cars on sale the year prior. Made from 1976 to 2023, with simplicity, practicality and driving in mind, they appealed to everyone from retirees to new drivers, and all in between. 

Through making so many cars, they must have perfected the reliability down to a tee? Kind of, although they were well regarded as being reliable, the later Fiestas did gain notoriety for an issue relating to the cambelt design. Read on to get the full picture on the Fiesta’s reliability.

In the 2023 What Car? Reliability survey, the Fiesta placed 12th out of 19 cars, Ford as a whole did a little better, though not by much, at 14th out of 31. This puts the Fiesta around average compared to other cars in its class. 

Recalls are manufacturer issued repair orders that can affect any number of cars, they are usually the result of a manufacturing or design issue that is likely to cause a safety issue. 

Recalls are paid for by the manufacturer, and repair work is typically carried out at the dealership. To check if your car is affected by a recall, use the 

Failure of Brake System Vacuum Assistance

All modern cars have vacuum assisted brakes, this system reduces the amount of force needed on the brake pedal from the driver, to get maximum braking force from the brakes. It makes hard braking a lot easier, and on average, reduces stopping distances.

A recall was issued for quite a large number of Fiestas, whereby the vacuum pump that powers this system may fail. Whilst this will not result in a loss of braking, it will make it harder to use the brakes.

According to Ford, this issue may affect around 56,800 cars, so be sure to check your car, or any car you’re interested in buying. 

In 2016, a recall was issued for a potential fire risk on around 41,000 cars. It related to the glow plug control module, something essential to the running of a diesel engined vehicle.

The modules received a permanent electrical supply from the cars battery, but the casing of the unit was not properly waterproofed, causing the potential for an electrical short, eventually leading to a fire. 

Because this issue was from a permanent live wire, it could happen even when the vehicles were parked.

A relatively small number of Fiestas came with an automatic gearbox, it was termed the Powershift Gearbox, a name Ford uses on many of its automatic vehicles. 

Issues have been reported from a large number of owners, of clunky changes, poor efficiency and even complete loss of drive. A gearbox specialist has a blog post dedicated to helping owners of this gearbox and suggests some possible causes.

Sensors in the box have a tendency to become clogged and no longer effective, which confuses the control module, causing it to make unpredictable changes. In some cases the control module itself can be faulty, if this is the case it's prudent to expect a large repair bill. 

“Sync 3” Infotainment System Glitches

Ford’s Sync system is another thing that is shared across many car models. It is their own developed user interface providing the driver everything from climate controls to navigation to car settings. 

Users reported issues connecting their phone to the Apple Car Play, glitches with the touchscreen, and general system performance including freezes and lagging menu options. Something that is incredibly frustrating if you need to adjust something whilst on the move such as the climate controls.

Mention an Ecoboost Ford to many people and they’ll bring up the “wet belt” issue. This refers to the cambelt, that whilst normally just runs in air, in certain EcoBoost models is lubricated by the engine oil.

The purpose of this is to reduce friction and increase overall engine efficiency, but unfortunately on a lot of models, the belt material degrades and deposits particles into the engine oil. 

This, if left unchecked, can cause oil pressure problems, as the debris clogs up the oil pump pickup. In serious cases, this can cause irreparable damage to the engine.

However, many EcoBoost engines don’t even use a wet belt, and it’s often possible to avoid major issues if your car does have one. To reduce the risks posed by a wet belt:

Ford Fiesta Reliability Guide

As the replacement for the formidable 190 in 1993, the C Class had a lot to live up to, especially in the reliability stakes. Early cars enjoyed the same reverence, but does the current generation have the same bulletproof reliability?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the C Class’ weak points, any manufacturer recalls that have been issued, and ultimately, if they’re worth buying.

In 2024, Mercedes as a brand placed 22nd out of 31 manufacturers. This makes them statistically less reliable than most other luxury marques, including Lexus, BMW, Audi and even Skoda. The 2014 - 2021 C Class placed 14th out of 20 cars in WhatCars? reliability rating, and the current one was given a 6.8/10 score by MotorEasy for reliability.

Whilst most of the faults were covered by Mercedes’ warranty, it’s difficult to give too much praise to the C Class’ reliability based on the figures alone.

Recalls are issued by the manufacturer when a defect with the design or manufacturing of the car is noticed, especially one that affects the vehicle's safety. Recalls are always repaired by the dealer, free of charge. 

It's easy to double-check if your car is affected by any outstanding recalls with the 

Worryingly, the current generation of C Class has quite a few recalls in the short time it's been in production; 38 to be exact. Whilst some of these are for software and minor things, such as an incorrect sticker fitted, many do involve serious safety features of the car.

The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet expectations

No extra detail is given regarding this recall issue, just that the fix involves a software update to the communication module. This is the part of the system responsible for the emergency call system, should a car be involved in an accident. 

By my calculations, taken from data just pertaining to the non-AMG version of the C Class built in 2021, nearly 420,000 cars had this issue. It might not be a case of finding a car that has had the issue rectified, but if Mercedes has time to repair all the affected cars!

Inside the fuel pump is a small blade called an impeller that spins at high RPM to deliver fuel to the engine. On certain models made in 2021, this can deform under load and stop working effectively. 

The issue affected just over 1,000 cars, and the remedy is the replacement of the fuel pump. 

On around 800 cars, an issue was detected relating to the front passenger airbag, and its effectiveness when needed in an accident. The repair involves the replacement of the airbag at a Mercedes dealership.

These are issues that are reported by multiple owners; they don’t necessarily indicate lots of cars will have problems, just that these are the ones you are most likely to encounter.

It's easy to find many owners discussing problems related to the emissions system, specifically the AdBlue injectors and tank. The urea-based fluid can crystallise in the system if certain conditions are met, often resulting in needing a new injector - these can be very expensive.

It’s unclear if these problems are through a design or manufacturing fault of the car, or if the owners are not using the vehicle as intended - i.e. running a diesel only on short journeys, or forgetting to fill the AdBlue tank.

A common fault on the previous generation of C Class, is faulty door mirrors. The folding mechanism uses a motor inside the mirror and sensors to detect when it’s folded or unfolded. These become noisy and weak over time, resulting in mirrors not fully opening or closing.

To replace the mirrors with new parts can cost an arm and a leg (some sources state £500+ per side), so make sure to listen carefully when looking at a used C Class. 

The 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox used on certain C-Class models is great, providing fast, smooth changes and high efficiency. It is however, a complex system, and needs routine maintenance to ensure it works correctly. 

A G-Tronic gearbox that has been neglected could leave you with some big repair bills if it goes wrong.

For repairs that fit neatly into your monthly budget, consider Bumper's 

. Apply online for up to 5,000. Choose from over 5,000 reliable repairers across the country.

Mercedes C Class Reliability Guide

The 1 Series was launched in 2004 as the German brand's smallest and cheapest car. It was, however, immediately considered the premium option in the segment, an honour it still holds today. Buyers loved the great handling, much of it shared from the 3 series, and the compact practicality of a hatchback. 

It went from strength to strength, with its popularity never really waning. However, did the 1 series inherit the same German engineering as the larger cars, and are the newest models as reliable as you’d hope?

With a reliability rating of 97% from WhatCar? Magazine, it's safe to say the current generation is pretty reliable. Only 15% of cars involved in the test reported any faults, with 40% of these being fixed for free by BMW, in a day.

As a brand, BMW finished 12th out of 31 manufacturers, placing above the other big German brands: Audi, VW and Mercedes-Benz. 

When a car develops a fault, particularly a safety-related one, the manufacturer will issue a recall, encouraging all owners to bring their car back to the dealer for the issue to be fixed, free of charge. 

You can do a search of what recalls affect your vehicle on the 

, either by searching by make and model, or by number plate. Reassuringly, the 1 Series has very few recalls, and most only affect a small number of cars. 

Camshafts are what open the valves of an engine, allowing the fuel to enter and the exhaust gases to escape. They are driven by the 

, and have bearings to enable them to rotate efficiently.

On a very few cars made in 2021 – 38 to be exact – these bearing holders were not installed correctly. This requires either new bearings, or a new cylinder head – a major engine component – presumably depending on the amount of premature wear the issue has caused. 

A slightly more prevalent issue, affecting just over 1,100 cars, is one relating to the driver's airbag and the design of its cover. The recall wording states that the fabric of the airbag itself could be damaged by the cover upon deployment - a serious issue in the event of a crash.

The issue affected cars made in 2020 and requires a new airbag to be fitted at the dealership.

Incorrect screw material on the rear seat belts

On 38 cars made in 2021, some of the screws used to fasten in the rear seatbelt assembly were not of an acceptable grade material. The remedy is to simply remove and replace the screws with ones of superior quality.

All cars have common faults, be it a design fault, or a weakness that becomes apparent after a certain amount of time and miles. It doesn’t necessarily mean the cars are unreliable, but it does highlight something to look out for should you be buying secondhand. 

A number of owners have complained about issues with incorrect or intermittent dashboard lights on their current generation 1 Series. It’s not clear if this is a sensor problem, an issue with the ECU/wiring to it, or a problem with the dash module itself. 

Many owners reported needing multiple trips to the dealer for software updates and reboots, though the dealership experience was positive for most.

While the previous generation of 1 series was well-famed for its reliability, there is one issue that gets mentioned a lot online, that is, the washer jets becoming blocked all too frequently. 

This is generally resolved by removing them and cleaning through with a narrow cleaning tool, but is not something you’d expect on a BMW, only 5 or so years old!

Because the older generation 1 series is fitted with the same complex type of suspension found in the larger 3 series, owners found their cars consumed suspension bushes and joints faster than they expected. 

Whilst the wear was probably not more than typical for this type of suspension, other cars in the segment use less refined but less complex systems that are more robust at high mileage.

BMW 1 Series Reliability

First introduced in 1975, the 3 Series is one of BMW’s most popular models. The current generation, the G20 model unveiled in 2018, continues with the same recipe: comfort, driving performance and rear-wheel drive. 

However, with cars becoming more and more complex, is the 3 Series as reliable as we’ve come to expect from BMW? We’ll take a look at some common problems, recalls and discuss if the 3 Series is a good buy in 2025.

The petrol and PHEV versions of the latest 3 Series ranked 2nd in the executive class with a 97.5% reliability score in the 2024 WhatCar? survey, while diesels achieved around 96%. BMW as a brand scored 8th out of 31, which is pretty good!

According to the same WhatCar? survey, the most commonly repaired fault related to the engine or electrics, but BMW paid for 96% of the repairs needed, and fixed nearly 70% of faults in less than a week.

There have been a few recalls on the 3 Series since its launch in 2019; thankfully, any recall work is to be completed by the manufacturer, free of charge. Check to see if your car, or one you're looking at buying, has any outstanding recalls 

On certain vehicles built between 11 March and 9 July 2019, a bearing bushing was not properly installed into the engine's crankcase, whilst only a small part, it requires the engine to be removed and potentially replaced - it’s a good job, recall work is paid for by the manufacturer! 

Even though only 53 cars were affected, it's still worth double-checking any potential car, as the fault can lead to engine failure, which will be extremely inconvenient even if the repair cost is covered!

Certain 3 Series models (made from March–September 2020) had battery pack debris left from welding that could cause short circuits. Affected units may need battery replacement.

Symptoms of this fault could be quite severe, so it’s important to get your car checked. 

’s cooler system may develop a leak. The type of coolant used, mixed with sediment from the EGR system, can cause “ignitable” deposits. 

If your 3 Series was made in 2018, this one is definitely worth checking, as it affected nearly 64,000 cars.

Suspension components rank among the most frequent repairs. Symptoms include uneven ride, steering pull, or audible knocking when braking. This could also be related to the poor condition of UK roads and the G80’s firm suspension.

Fixes include general suspension replacements, such as shocks, suspension arms and bushes.

Many UK owners report occasional iDrive bugs, Bluetooth dropouts, and touchscreen unresponsiveness, which is something we see across all makes and models of modern cars.

Typically, a software update is needed from the dealer, but these things can also be remedied by a system reboot.

Electrical issues include warning lights without a clear cause, central locking or body control faults. A forum post advising people to check battery ground wires got a bit of attention, indicating there are a few common electrical issues.

Despite the few ‘common’ faults listed above, the 3 Series seems to be a very well put-together car. It also receives lots of praise for its driving characteristics, and achieved an impressive Euro NCAP score. 

Residual prices of most BMW models are also strong, which is usually a good indicator of a brand's overall reliability; it also helps with depreciation come trade-in time.

Overall, if you are happy with the slightly elevated repair costs associated with German marques, and the few niggles listed above don’t put you off, the 3 Series is a perfect executive saloon.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an A

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer