Bmw 3 series vs Bmw Tdi: 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 Tdi
76%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw Tdi (76%) 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 Tdi |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% | 76% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 25% | 24% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 ✓ | 2.6 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 2% |
| Average mileage | 128,558 mi | 149,519 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 Tdi
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)
- Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw Tdi (76%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw Tdi 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.