BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 75.7% of BMW 3 Series MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 467,987 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
87.3%
All cars: 86.1% (1.2 points better). 66,613 tests.
At 6–10 years
82.5%
All cars: 76.1% (6.4 points better). 142,498 tests.
At 11 years and over
69.1%
All cars: 61.3% (7.8 points better). 258,876 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20,100 | 86.9% | 87.8% | 41,250 miles |
| 4 | 22,558 | 87.7% | 86.4% | 46,250 miles |
| 5 | 23,955 | 87.3% | 84.5% | 51,250 miles |
| 6 | 23,392 | 86.6% | 81.9% | 61,250 miles |
| 7 | 26,689 | 84.8% | 79.3% | 71,250 miles |
| 8 | 30,911 | 83.7% | 76.3% | 81,250 miles |
| 9 | 31,331 | 81.3% | 73.1% | 88,750 miles |
| 10 | 30,175 | 77.3% | 70.0% | 98,750 miles |
| 11 | 32,859 | 74.5% | 66.9% | 106,250 miles |
| 12 | 32,021 | 69.9% | 64.4% | 111,250 miles |
| 13 | 27,407 | 68.4% | 62.1% | 118,750 miles |
| 14 | 24,180 | 69.0% | 60.2% | 123,750 miles |
| 15 | 22,272 | 67.0% | 58.6% | 123,750 miles |
| 16 | 18,551 | 67.2% | 57.5% | 123,750 miles |
| 17 | 21,329 | 68.2% | 57.2% | 123,750 miles |
| 18 | 19,039 | 67.7% | 57.0% | 131,250 miles |
| 19 | 12,526 | 66.6% | 57.2% | 131,250 miles |
| 20+ | 48,692 | 68.4% | 61.4% | 116,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of BMW 3 Series MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 3 Series | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.7% | 16.6% |
| Suspension | 10.0% | 13.7% |
| Tyres | 9.7% | 8.4% |
| Brakes | 8.9% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 3.8% | 5.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.4% | 4.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | 4.2% |
| Road wheels | 1.4% | 0.5% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 3.3% of tests
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak failed 2.9% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 2.6% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 2.2% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.8% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements failed 1.6% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 1.6% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too low failed 1.6% of tests · what this means
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular 3 Series?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 3 Series version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: diesel 56.1%, petrol 34.5%, hybrid electric (clean) 7.9%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other BMW models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.