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Bmw 3 series vs Bmw 840 ci: 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 840 ci
82%
MOT pass rate · 26 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 840 ci (82%) 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 840 ci
MOT pass rate 75% 82% ✓
MOT failure rate 25% 18% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 0.6 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 128,558 mi 108,364 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 996,044 26

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 840 ci

  1. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  2. Brake master cylinder fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1e)
  3. Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
  4. EXHAUST MIDDLE BRACKET BROKEN
  5. both rear tyre treads low
  6. slight free play felt in o/s/r wheel

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw 840 ci (82%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw 840 ci 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.