Known APK problem
BMW 3-serie E90/E91: brakes
On the BMW 3-serie E90/E91 the APK inspector finds brakes problems 50% more often than on cars of the same age: at 16+ years 4.9%, against about 3.3% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Worn or rusted brake discs and pads, or uneven braking.
How to check it at the viewing
Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.
Ask the seller: When were the brake discs and pads last replaced?
By age
Share of inspected BMW 3-serie E90/E91s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | 3-serie E90/E91 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 – 15 years | A | 3.9% | 3.9% | 1.0× |
| 13 – 15 years | B | 1.7% | 2.1% | 0.8× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 3.9% | 3.0% | 1.3× |
| 16+ years | A | 3.2% | 6.4% | 0.5× |
| 16+ years | B | 1.5% | 2.1% | 0.7× |
| 16+ years | C | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.5× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 16+ years
| Model | Brakes | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 3-serie E90/E91 | 4.9% | 1.5× |
| Volvo V70 III / XC70 II | 4.1% | 0.7× |
| Škoda Octavia II | 5.9% | 1.0× |
| Opel Insignia A | 2.9% | 0.5× |
| Škoda Superb II | 3.4% | 0.6× |
| Toyota Avensis III | 3.5% | 0.6× |
Looking at a BMW 3-serie E90/E91? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW 3-serie E90/E91s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW 3-serie E90/E91 · Brakes: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 3-serie E90/E91 often have brakes problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 16+ years the inspector found a brakes defect on 4.9% of inspected BMW 3-serie E90/E91s, against about 3.3% of all cars of the same age (1.5×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the brakes on a used BMW 3-serie E90/E91?
Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know