BMW 3 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 3. Check any 3 by registration number below.

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81.3%

Avg Pass Rate

-8.6%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

BMW 3 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 3 has an average MOT pass rate of 81.3%, which is 8.6 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 3 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

Before buying a used BMW 3, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 3 performs at MOT across different model years.

2014

Based on 147 vehicles

86.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.9%

Retest Rate

12.9%

Mileage at 10yr

108k mi

2013

Based on 41 vehicles

80.5%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

27.6%

Mileage at 10yr

133k mi

2009

Based on 39 vehicles

87.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

13.3%

2008

Based on 32 vehicles

78.1%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.8%

Retest Rate

14.3%

2007

Based on 35 vehicles

77.1%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.0%

Retest Rate

5.0%

0

Based on 202 vehicles

78.7%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

99k mi

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

4.8%

Rear Nearside

3.4%

Rear Offside

2.0%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 3

BMW 3 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 3 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 3?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 3 is 81.3% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 3?

Check the detailed breakdown on this page for specific failure data by year range.

Is the BMW 3 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 81.3%, the BMW 3 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 3?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 3?

Typical mileage for the BMW 3: 108,049 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 3 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 3's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.