Bmw 3 series vs Bmw M roadste: 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 M roadste
72%
MOT pass rate · 3 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw M roadste (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 M roadste |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% ✓ | 72% |
| MOT failure rate | 25% ✓ | 28% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 | 1.9 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 128,558 mi | 83,411 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 996,044 | 3 |
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 M roadste
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
- Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)
- Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all pipes greased (1.1.11 (c))
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw M roadste (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 M roadste 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.