BMW M3: what fails at MOT
29,000 MOT tests on the BMW M3 in 2024, counted. 8.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
8.6% of BMW M3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29.1%, so the M3 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (1.5% of tests), lights and electrics (1.2% of tests) and suspension (0.9% 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 | 2,232 | 3.3% | 10.9% | 19,800 15,400 to 25,700 |
| 2018 | 2,654 | 5.2% | 15.6% | 37,900 26,800 to 49,600 |
| 2017 | 3,387 | 6.9% | 18.2% | 44,000 33,300 to 53,200 |
| 2016 | 2,857 | 5.7% | 21.3% | 49,200 39,000 to 61,700 |
| 2015 | 2,243 | 3.9% | 24.4% | 59,000 45,900 to 71,300 |
| 2014 | 928 | 7.5% | 27.7% | 60,000 54,200 to 69,000 |
| 2013 | 799 | 7.1% | 30.6% | 49,300 36,600 to 63,700 |
| 2012 | 1,288 | 8.9% | 33.4% | 60,600 44,800 to 75,300 |
| 2011 | 1,364 | 10.4% | 36.1% | 67,700 51,500 to 85,300 |
| 2010 | 1,477 | 12.4% | 38.6% | 71,300 54,900 to 87,800 |
| 2009 | 1,577 | 9.7% | 39.8% | 80,800 62,400 to 94,400 |
| 2008 | 2,458 | 12.6% | 41.5% | 82,000 67,900 to 98,400 |
| 2007 | 961 | 8.9% | 41.5% | 89,800 72,700 to 108,500 |
| 2006 | 537 | 17.1% | 42.4% | 82,900 62,600 to 101,700 |
| 2005 | 1,514 | 15.5% | 42.2% | 91,300 70,000 to 112,400 |
| 2004 | 2,272 | 14.3% | 42.3% | 97,600 77,000 to 119,300 |
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 M3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | M3 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 1.5% | 4.3% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.2% | 8.3% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 6.8% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 0.9% | 5.1% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.7% | 2.5% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.6% | 3.3% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.3%
- Headlamp aim0.5%
- Washers0.4%
- Tyre tread0.4%
- Coil spring0.4%
- Engine warning light0.4%
- Footbrake0.3%
- Exhaust emissions0.3%
- Number plates0.2%
- Side light0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.4%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.3%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.2%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.2%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.2%
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 edge3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material1.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive0.7%
- Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive0.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin0.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement0.5%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “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 M3'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.