BMW 3 SERIES MOT Pass Rate
79.7% of 166,962 BMW 3 SERIES MOT tests pass.
The 3 SERIES passes 79.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all BMW models (84.8%).
The BMW 3 SERIES has a pass rate of 79.7%, a little higher than the national average for cars (78.3%).
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 90.5% at 3–6 years to 75.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (21) | 21 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 90.5% | 6,671 | 51,391 miles |
| 6–10 years | 87.2% | 32,456 | 85,264 miles |
| 10–15 years | 78.9% | 66,936 | 115,006 miles |
| 15+ years | 75.4% | 60,878 | 128,116 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW 3 SERIES
The most common reason the BMW 3 SERIES fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 46.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 46.0% | not working |
| Suspension | 35.8% | has a serious fluid leak |
| Brakes | 32.7% | efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 29.4% | tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 12.5% | provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.2% | inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.5% | has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 4.6% | fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.8% | warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.5% | ball joint has excessive play |