Bmw 3 series vs Bmw California 250 swb: 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 California 250 swb
72%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw California 250 swb (72%) 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 California 250 swb |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% ✓ | 72% |
| MOT failure rate | 25% ✓ | 28% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 ✓ | 2.5 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 128,558 mi | 108,467 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 California 250 swb
- Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
- Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
- Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)
- Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))
- Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)
- Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s and n/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw California 250 swb (72%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw California 250 swb 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.