Bmw 2800 vs Bmw 3 series: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Bmw 2800
78%
MOT pass rate · 235 vehicles
Bmw 3 series
75%
MOT pass rate · 996,044 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 2800 (78%) and Bmw 3 series (75%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 2800 | Bmw 3 series |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% ✓ | 75% |
| MOT failure rate | 22% ✓ | 25% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.7 ✓ | 2.0 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 1% ✓ | 2% |
| Average mileage | 59,631 mi | 128,558 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 235 | 996,044 |
Most common faults
Bmw 2800
- Oil leak
- Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
- Horn not working (1.6.2a)
- Battery insecure
- Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
- Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
Bmw 3 series
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
- Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 2800 (78%) and Bmw 3 series (75%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 2800 report Full Bmw 3 series report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.