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Bmw 3 series vs Bmw X5 f15: 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 X5 f15
80%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw X5 f15 (80%) 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 X5 f15
MOT pass rate 75% 80%
MOT failure rate 25% 20%
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 1.2
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0%
Average mileage 128,558 mi 85,476 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 996,044 1

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 X5 f15

  1. Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
  2. Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  3. Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  4. Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective Split starting to smear (3.4 (b) (i))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw X5 f15 (80%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw X5 f15 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.