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MOT reliability

Bmw 3

368 vehicles · 4,682 completed MOT tests analysed
77%
MOT pass rate

Based on 368 Bmw 3 vehicles and 4,682 completed MOT tests, the Bmw 3 has an overall 77% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 121,700 miles.

368
Vehicles
4,682
MOT tests
7,051
Avg miles / year
1.7
Faults per test
2%
Dangerous-fault share

Bmw 3 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Bmw 3 MOT tests:

  • Other71%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension19%
  • Brakes12%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Lamps & electrical3%
  • Visibility2%
  • Steering2%
  • Seatbelts & equipment2%

Bmw 3 pass rate by age

How the Bmw 3's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
11100%
21385%
323287%
425684%
527584%
631580%
734979%
834879%
935477%
1037175%
1137971%
1233671%
1325673%
1421771%
1518969%
1614371%
179471%
187676%
195671%
204480%

Fuel types: Petrol (188), Diesel (109), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (69), Other (2)

Most common Bmw 3 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Bmw 3 MOT tests:

  1. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (185 times)
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (182 times)
  3. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (112 times)
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (109 times)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (105 times)
  6. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) (104 times)
  7. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (97 times)
  8. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (95 times)
  9. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (89 times)
  10. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (86 times)
  11. Oil leak (68 times)
  12. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (64 times)
  13. Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (64 times)
  14. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (63 times)
  15. Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (60 times)

Bmw 3 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2017 4 23 78% 68,080
2016 1 9 89% 80,452
2015 4 34 88% 70,188
2014 54 549 86% 81,442
2013 17 137 87% 93,003
2012 12 130 82% 124,472
2011 11 133 78% 102,172
2010 15 178 72% 133,143
2009 13 191 77% 130,491
2008 17 241 78% 128,277
2007 26 398 81% 134,776
2006 9 72 82% 172,089
2005 16 258 72% 147,175
2004 13 204 75% 121,569
2003 14 179 75% 109,771
2002 20 349 73% 178,275
2001 26 442 71% 129,710
2000 25 377 71% 170,126
1999 22 320 74% 143,137
1998 6 82 63% 132,462
1997 3 37 70% 148,213
1995 3 24 83% 149,481
1994 1 12 67% 193,348
1993 1 4 75% 176,804
1991 2 23 83% 131,742
1990 1 4 50% 124,749
1989 2 31 74% 144,419
1988 1 1 100% 244,226
1987 1 1 100% 4,414
1978 1 15 93% 84,327
1974 4 31 71% 66,727
1973 11 110 85% 52,408
1972 4 22 91% 51,369
1971 1 3 67% 78,618

Bmw 3 reliability FAQ

Across 368 Bmw 3 vehicles in our MOT data, 77% pass the MOT (a 23% failure rate), with about 1.7 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Bmw 3 MOT issues are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)).

The typical Bmw 3 in our data has covered around 121,700 miles.

Compare the Bmw 3

See how the Bmw 3 stacks up against other Bmw models on MOT reliability:

3 vs 3 series 3 vs 118 3 vs 316 3 vs 520

Check a specific Bmw 3

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Bmw models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks