BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate: 77.7% (346,191 tests, 2025)

The BMW 3 Series passed 77.7% of its 346,191 MOT tests in 2025 — right on the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 14 years old with 108,404 miles on the clock.
77.7%Pass rate (2025)
346,191MOT tests analysed
108,404 miMedian mileage at test
14 yrsMedian age at test

How the 3 Series compares

BMW 3 Series

77.7%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

BMW average (all models)

83.0%

What fails most on the BMW 3 Series

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 3 Series:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension43,93423.0%
2Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment39,16620.5%
3Brakes38,03019.9%
4Tyres33,92917.8%
5Noise, emissions and leaks13,1876.9%
6Visibility11,3365.9%

Pre-MOT checklist for 3 Series owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

3 Series pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2019, 2020. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2006, 2007. Full ranking and method: BMW 3 Series years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2001 14,478 71.6% +5.0 pts 114,284
2002 22,549 72.2% +6.5 pts 118,052
2003 29,056 71.8% +6.7 pts 118,409
2004 27,465 71.2% +6.9 pts 118,720
2005 35,983 72.0% +7.5 pts 128,363
2006 56,480 73.5% +9.1 pts 131,262
2007 76,421 74.0% +8.9 pts 125,386
2008 66,056 73.3% +8.2 pts 121,078
2009 66,981 72.3% +5.9 pts 117,549
2010 74,843 73.3% +6.0 pts 119,909
2011 81,253 74.8% +5.6 pts 117,068
2012 95,480 74.7% +3.5 pts 108,282
2013 97,288 79.2% +5.9 pts 101,221
2014 89,665 82.0% +6.2 pts 96,205
2015 90,628 85.2% +6.5 pts 84,479
2016 73,085 86.8% +5.5 pts 75,528
2017 10,853 87.1% +3.1 pts 65,249
2018 25,378 87.8% +1.4 pts 52,746
2019 34,699 88.0% -0.4 pts 44,657
2020 9,746 88.2% -1.8 pts 36,313

Check a specific 3 Series before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other BMW models

11883.0% pass rate · 151,434 tests X185.0% pass rate · 105,826 tests 11678.5% pass rate · 100,371 tests X383.1% pass rate · 88,755 tests 1 Series81.7% pass rate · 77,207 tests X582.4% pass rate · 76,168 tests 5 Series85.7% pass rate · 71,923 tests 52081.0% pass rate · 71,728 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 3 Series?

In 2025, 77.7% of 346,191 first MOT tests on the BMW 3 Series were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the 3 Series fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (23.0% of its recorded defects), followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.

Is the BMW 3 Series reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 77.7% it performs above the national average at a median age of 14 years and 108,404 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.