The BMW 3 SERIES (2005-12) 318D 143 4DR SALOON 2.0D ES AUTO is a compact executive saloon, offering a more premium alternative to mainstream family cars. Its four-door layout and automatic gearbox suit everyday driving, while the restrained styling keeps it practical rather than showy. In the UK used market, it sits alongside the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class as a desirable, driver-focused choice. Mycarcheck.com records 187 look-ups across 54 different VINs, giving a useful sample of cars checked. The average private-sale valuation is £2,700, with average recorded mileage of 116,000 miles and annual mileage of 6,000. Checks also show an average of about five previous keepers, so reviewing each car’s history is especially worthwhile. Best suited to commuters and small families, it offers a comfortable cabin, useful boot and composed drive; the diesel engine suits longer journeys, though condition and service history matter greatly in an older automatic model.