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Bmw 3 series vs Bmw 554i: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Bmw 3 series
75%
MOT pass rate · 996,044 vehicles
Bmw 554i
50%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 554i (50%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 3 series Bmw 554i
MOT pass rate 75% ✓ 50%
MOT failure rate 25% ✓ 50%
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 ✓ 3.8
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 128,558 mi 124,434 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 996,044 1

Most common faults

Bmw 3 series

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Bmw 554i

  1. some corrosion to jacking points
  2. All Brake hoses slightly cracked
  3. Handbrake cable corroded
  4. Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low Headlight Adjustment not working, therefor could not be adjusted (4.1.2 (a))
  5. Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))
  6. Nearside Rear Sensor slightly Insecure

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 554i (50%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw 554i 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.