MOT performance
2009 BMW 3 Series: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 48,142 MOT tests on 2009-registered BMW 3 Seriess in 2023–2024 (on average 13.9 years old at test, median 115,740 miles), 66.3% passed first time, 8.6 points lower than the BMW 3 Series overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2009 BMW 3 Seriess failed 21% less often than comparable cars.
48,142 MOT tests on 25,583 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 66.3% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 48,142 |
| All BMW 3 Seriess | 74.9% | n = 1,007,360 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.79× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 11.2% | n = 48,142 |
| Average age at test | 13.9 years | n = 48,142 |
Where 2009 BMW 3 Seriess fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 12.6% | -37% |
| Suspension | 11.4% | -36% |
| Brakes | 9.7% | -15% |
| Tyres | 8.7% | +7% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.1% | -22% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.6% | -23% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.0% | -71% |
| Road wheels | 1.7% | +164% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.2% | -37% |
| Steering | 0.5% | -85% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | +2% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 5.89% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.81% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.51% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.86% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.65% |
Check a specific 2009 BMW 3 Series
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.
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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.