Bmw 3 series vs Bmw 798: 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 798
78%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 798 (78%) 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 798 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% | 78% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 25% | 22% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 | 1.2 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 128,558 mi | 48,933 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 996,044 | 1 |
Most common faults
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))
Bmw 798
- Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (3.3.A2b)
- Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion (2.3.3)
- Nearside Rear Rear shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (2.4.A.1c)
- Offside Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.4.A.3b)
- Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)
- Headlamp aim too low (1.6)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 798 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw 798 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.