Known APK problem
BMW 3-serie E90/E91: springs and shock absorbers
On the BMW 3-serie E90/E91 the APK inspector finds springs and shock absorbers problems 4.3× as often as on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 6.1%, against about 1.4% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Broken springs or leaking shock absorbers.
How to check it at the viewing
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
Ask the seller: Have the shock absorbers or springs ever been 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 | B | 2.6% | 1.0% | 2.7× |
| 13 – 15 years | C | 6.1% | 1.4% | 4.3× |
| 16+ years | A | 0.4% | 4.0% | 0.1× |
| 16+ years | B | 2.4% | 1.1% | 2.1× |
| 16+ years | C | 5.9% | 1.6% | 3.7× |
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 13–15 years
| Model | Springs and shock absorbers | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 3-serie E90/E91 | 6.1% | 4.3× |
| Volvo V60 I / S60 II | 0.5% | 0.2× |
| Volvo V70 III / XC70 II | 0.8% | 0.4× |
| Škoda Octavia II | 4.3% | 1.9× |
| Opel Insignia A | 4.7% | 2.1× |
| Škoda Superb II | 3.2% | 1.4× |
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 · Springs and shock absorbers: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 3-serie E90/E91 often have springs and shock absorbers problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a springs and shock absorbers defect on 6.1% of inspected BMW 3-serie E90/E91s, against about 1.4% of all cars of the same age (4.3×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the springs and shock absorbers on a used BMW 3-serie E90/E91?
Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.
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