BMW 330
From 30,414 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a tyre cords visible or damaged. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 804 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 tyre seriously damaged | 804 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 560 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 375 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 146 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 139 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 133 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 98 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 86 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 83 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 77 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 56.9% of 330 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 8.4% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £91.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2020 | 89.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2019 | 90.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 90.9% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
4 earlier years
| 2017 | 89.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 88.3% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2015 | 83.8% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2012 | 86.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 330s tested had between 34,672 and 77,445 miles on the clock.
At 52,507 median miles, the 330 has 0.02 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 330 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 330 has a 89.6% MOT pass rate based on 30,414 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 330?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 330 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 804 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 330 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 330 is 52,507 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 34,672 and 77,445 miles.
Buying a used 330?
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.
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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.