BMW 325
From 782 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, caused 18 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.
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 18 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 16 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 11 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 10 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 9 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 9 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 8 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 7 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 7 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.7% of 325 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 36.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £121.
Fuel type matters
Diesel versions pass at 90% while Petrol versions pass at 77.4%, a 13 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 83.6% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 2007 | 73.5% | a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all 325s tested had between 64,425 and 113,495 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 84,619 median miles, the 325 has 0.024 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 325 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 325 has a 79.3% MOT pass rate based on 782 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 325?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 325 is a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, which caused 18 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 325 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 325 is 84,619 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 64,425 and 113,495 miles.
Buying a used 325?
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 79.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £121 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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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.