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BMW N47 (N47D20 / N47C16 / N47C20)Urgency: Garage soon

Jerking or juddering when accelerating in the BMW N47 engine: causes

In the BMW N47 engine, 2 documented faults may be the cause: clogged or seized EGR valve and dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions).[1][2]

What to do now

Garage soon

Check whether any warning lights are on and ask for a fault code read-out. If the jerking comes with a flashing engine warning light, slow down and go to a garage.

What it means

The car moves in fits and starts or hesitates when you press the accelerator. It may be caused by misfires, injectors, sensors, the EGR valve or, on automatic gearboxes, the clutch.

Jerking: causes in all cars

10 sourcesHow we work

Engine faults that cause it

From most to least important. Under each fault, how the symptom shows up. Check the affected years and versions on each page.

  1. Source for the symptom[1]

  2. Source for the symptom[2]

How much it can cost

Depending on the cause, repair at an independent garage ranges from €400[1] (clogged or seized EGR valve) to €1,500[1] (clogged or seized EGR valve), including VAT.

Most serious fault among the possible causes: Medium severity

Other common causes: jerking

Besides the documented faults of the BMW N47, these are the most common causes on any car according to the sources.

  • Dirty, worn or faulty injectors[3][4][5]Common
  • Worn spark plugs, ignition coils or glow plugs[4][6][7][8]Common
  • Fuel supply: fuel filter, pump or poor-quality fuel[3][4][6][7]Common
  • Air flow meter, air filter or throttle valve[3][4][7][9]Possible
  • Blocked EGR valve, catalytic converter or particulate filter[4][6][7]Possible
  • Faulty turbo[3]Possible

What to check first

  1. Note when it happens: only when cold, at constant speed, on a climb or under load, at low revs or just as you release the clutch. Autonoción and RMotion use precisely that moment to narrow down the cause.[7][10]
  2. Rule out the simple things: if it started shortly after refuelling, suspect the fuel, and if you are in a gear that is too high for the speed, change down to see whether it goes away.[4][10]
  3. See whether the engine warning light is on: according to Autonoción, a check engine light together with jerking more likely points to an ignition coil or a sensor.[7]
  4. Ask for a code read-out with a diagnostic scanner before replacing parts: RMotion warns that parts should not be replaced on symptoms alone, because the same symptoms come from different faults.[8][10]
Complete guide: jerking or juddering when accelerating

Cars with the BMW N47 engine

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it according to its years and versions.

Frequently asked questions

Jerking in the BMW N47: what could it be?

In the BMW N47 engine, 2 documented faults may be the cause: clogged or seized EGR valve and dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Jerking in the BMW N47: is it serious?

Urgency: garage soon. Check whether any warning lights are on and ask for a fault code read-out. If the jerking comes with a flashing engine warning light, slow down and go to a garage. The most serious fault that causes it on this engine has medium severity.

Jerking in the BMW N47: how much does it cost to fix?

It depends on the cause: at an independent garage, from €400 (clogged or seized EGR valve) to €1,500 (clogged or seized EGR valve), including VAT.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Motor BMW N47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Dual-mass flywheel BMW: symptoms, failures and when to replace itRecambios y Accesorios BMW · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  3. Mi coche da tirones al acelerar, ¿cuál es la causa?RACE · Motoring press · published 21 April 2023 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Coche da tirones al acelerar gasolina: las principales razonesAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · published 30 April 2021 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Problemas con los inyectores: síntomas y fallosRACE · Motoring press · published 16 November 2022 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Coche diésel da tirones a bajas revoluciones: cómo identificar el problema y arreglarloAutopista · Motoring press · published 27 November 2025 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Tirones al acelerar: por qué mi coche da tirones, causas típicas y soluciones según el síntomaAutonoción · Motoring press · published 18 July 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Código de avería P0300 - guía paso a paso para su diagnóstico y resoluciónAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. ¿Por qué el coche me da tirones? He aquí las posibles causasCoches.com · Other source · published 10 January 2020 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. ¿Por qué el coche da tirones? Causas y posibles solucionesRMotion · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish