73 AUTO

MOT performance

2000 BMW 3 Series: MOT pass rate and common failures

Of 6,246 MOT tests on 2000-registered BMW 3 Seriess in 2023–2024 (on average 22.9 years old at test, median 111,160 miles), 64.6% passed first time, 10.2 points lower than the BMW 3 Series overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2000 BMW 3 Seriess failed 14% less often than comparable cars.

6,246 MOT tests on 3,640 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

2000 BMW 3 Series MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate64.6%±1.2 pts (95%), n = 6,246
All BMW 3 Seriess74.9%n = 1,007,360
Failures vs similar cars0.86×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect8.3%n = 6,246
Average age at test22.9 yearsn = 6,246

Where 2000 BMW 3 Seriess fail

2000 BMW 3 Series MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Suspension14.4%-5%
Lights, reflectors and electrical14.3%-23%
Brakes13.1%Same
Noise, emissions and leaks6.7%-26%
Driver's view of the road6.0%-17%
Tyres5.3%-2%
Seat belts and airbags4.7%+33%
Body, chassis and structure4.3%-54%
Steering1.8%-52%
Road wheels0.9%+146%
Registration plates and VIN0.6%-26%

Most common failure items

Most common 2000 BMW 3 Series MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Ball joint: ball joint excessively wornSuspension4.48%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirementsBrakes3.47%
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags3.44%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights, reflectors and electrical2.83%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corrodedBrakes2.79%

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Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.