BMW X3: what fails at MOT
185,000 MOT tests on the BMW X3 in 2024, counted. 17.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
17.2% of BMW X3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 22.1%, so the X3 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (3.7% of tests), tyres (3.3% of tests) and suspension (2.4% 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 | 22,435 | 8.7% | 10.9% | 26,400 19,600 to 34,900 |
| 2020 | 16,042 | 9.0% | 11.5% | 32,200 23,900 to 41,300 |
| 2019 | 30,078 | 9.7% | 13.4% | 39,500 30,300 to 50,200 |
| 2018 | 14,319 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 47,200 36,600 to 59,600 |
| 2017 | 13,876 | 14.7% | 18.2% | 58,700 45,700 to 72,900 |
| 2016 | 14,828 | 17.4% | 21.3% | 67,500 53,300 to 83,300 |
| 2015 | 11,637 | 19.7% | 24.4% | 79,500 62,200 to 97,400 |
| 2014 | 9,664 | 23.7% | 27.7% | 89,000 70,500 to 109,400 |
| 2013 | 11,920 | 24.4% | 30.6% | 94,900 76,400 to 117,100 |
| 2012 | 11,027 | 26.7% | 33.4% | 102,900 80,700 to 124,900 |
| 2011 | 6,535 | 23.7% | 36.1% | 110,100 88,900 to 131,900 |
| 2010 | 1,423 | 23.5% | 38.6% | 112,100 93,100 to 133,400 |
| 2009 | 2,330 | 25.5% | 39.8% | 117,700 96,500 to 140,500 |
| 2008 | 2,464 | 28.8% | 41.5% | 120,400 99,700 to 140,300 |
| 2007 | 3,655 | 35.5% | 41.5% | 130,200 108,400 to 150,300 |
| 2006 | 4,906 | 35.9% | 42.4% | 135,300 113,000 to 157,400 |
| 2005 | 4,113 | 37.4% | 42.2% | 140,800 114,900 to 166,200 |
| 2004 | 3,545 | 33.4% | 42.3% | 121,000 100,300 to 144,600 |
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 X3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | X3 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 3.7% | 5.5% |
| Tyres | 3.3% | 3.9% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.4% | 4.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.9% | 2.6% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.8% | 3.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.8% | 1.5% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.4% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.5%
- Headlamp aim1.6%
- Coil spring1.2%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Wipers1.1%
- Side indicators0.9%
- Washers0.8%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Headlamp0.6%
- Engine warning light0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%
- Side indicators: not working0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
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 edge10.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)3.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.6%
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?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a BMW X3's own MOT record
Looking at a X3? Type its registration to 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.