BMW 3
From 303 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction and number plate does not conform to the specified requirements. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 8 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 8 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 8 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 7 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 6 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 6 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 5 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 5 |
| number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off | 4 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 3 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 25.5% of 3 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 25.5% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £99.
Typical mileage
Half of all 3s tested had between 66,223 and 123,872 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 81,260 median miles, the 3 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 3 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 3 has a 84.8% MOT pass rate based on 303 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 3?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 3 is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 8 failures. Other common issues include engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 3 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 3 is 81,260 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,223 and 123,872 miles.
Buying a used 3?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 84.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £99 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 25.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.