BMW 3 Series: what fails at MOT
752,000 MOT tests on the BMW 3 Series in 2024, counted. 21.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.4% of BMW 3 Series tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.4%, so the 3 Series does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.8% of tests), tyres (4.4% of tests) and suspension (3.5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 38,831 | 13.1% | 10.9% | 32,300 22,800 to 45,300 |
| 2020 | 35,949 | 11.4% | 11.5% | 38,000 27,600 to 52,300 |
| 2019 | 46,062 | 10.6% | 13.4% | 44,900 33,300 to 58,700 |
| 2018 | 39,836 | 11.4% | 15.6% | 54,400 40,700 to 70,600 |
| 2017 | 48,310 | 12.4% | 18.2% | 65,900 50,400 to 84,300 |
| 2016 | 52,140 | 14.1% | 21.3% | 75,700 58,800 to 96,200 |
| 2015 | 52,780 | 16.6% | 24.4% | 85,100 66,500 to 107,100 |
| 2014 | 53,639 | 20.1% | 27.7% | 96,300 75,200 to 120,500 |
| 2013 | 58,854 | 23.0% | 30.6% | 100,900 77,600 to 127,400 |
| 2012 | 54,206 | 27.4% | 33.4% | 108,400 83,300 to 136,000 |
| 2011 | 44,653 | 28.5% | 36.1% | 117,500 90,400 to 145,400 |
| 2010 | 40,697 | 29.6% | 38.6% | 120,400 92,500 to 148,700 |
| 2009 | 37,955 | 30.5% | 39.8% | 118,200 91,000 to 147,700 |
| 2008 | 37,897 | 28.8% | 41.5% | 122,800 95,600 to 151,300 |
| 2007 | 43,703 | 29.9% | 41.5% | 126,300 98,200 to 157,700 |
| 2006 | 31,575 | 30.7% | 42.4% | 133,700 104,200 to 165,900 |
| 2005 | 19,389 | 32.3% | 42.2% | 129,200 97,600 to 163,400 |
| 2004 | 15,197 | 33.2% | 42.3% | 118,700 89,500 to 150,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW 3 Series tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 3 Series | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 8.0% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.3% | |
| Suspension | 3.5% | 6.5% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 3.2% | 4.8% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.8% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 2.3% | Less than most |
| Wheels | 0.6% | 0.3% | |
| Body and structure | 0.6% | 2.5% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.2%
- Headlamp aim1.8%
- Shock absorbers1.7%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Side light1.4%
- Washers1.3%
- Brake test1.0%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Headlamp1.0%
- Engine warning light0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.5%
- Side light: not working1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.8%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.9%
- Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated2.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a BMW 3 Series's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.