MOT performance
BMW 3 Series G20 (2019 on): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 106,792 MOT tests on the BMW 3 Series G20 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2019 onwards, on average 2.9 years old at test), 85.9% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the G20 failed about as often as comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the F30, it fails 43% more often once age and mileage are allowed for (1.04× vs 0.72×).
106,792 MOT tests on 63,672 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.9% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 106,792 |
| All BMW 3 Seriess | 74.9% | n = 1,007,360 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.04× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; BMW 3 Series overall 0.77× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 7.0% | n = 106,792 |
| Average age at test | 2.9 years | n = 106,792 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2019 on | Mar 2019 to now |
G20 against the other BMW 3 Series generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F30 (2012–2019) | 419,696 | 7.9 yrs | 80.1% | -28% | 7.5% |
| G20 (2019 on) | 106,792 | 2.9 yrs | 85.9% | +4% | 7.0% |
Where the G20 differs
- Steering: the G20 failed 580% more often than the BMW 3 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (1.76× vs 0.26×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the G20 failed 56% more often than the BMW 3 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (1.24× vs 0.79×).
- Tyres: the G20 failed 47% more often than the BMW 3 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (1.59× vs 1.08×).
- Suspension: the G20 failed 45% more often than the BMW 3 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (0.85× vs 0.58×).
| Area | F30 (vs similar) | G20 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.3% (+3%) | 8.8% (+59%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.4% (-24%) | 2.0% (-34%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.4% (-41%) | 1.3% (-58%) |
| Brakes | 3.5% (-44%) | 1.1% (-43%) |
| Suspension | 3.6% (-55%) | 0.7% (-15%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.0% (-61%) | 0.5% (-9%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% (-61%) | 0.4% (+24%) |
| Road wheels | 0.9% (+121%) | 0.4% (+91%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+7%) | 0.3% (+41%) |
| Steering | 0.3% (-81%) | 0.3% (+76%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.4% (-83%) | 0.1% (-65%) |
Most common BMW 3 Series G20 failure items
2 of these 5 items are not among the BMW 3 Series's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.89% |
| Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 2.11% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.08% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.75% |
| Headlamp aim: too high | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.07% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | F30 pass rate (tests) | G20 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 87.9% (15,850) | 87.0% (64,573) |
| 5-6 | 86.3% (99,856) | 85.5% (3,952) |
| 7-8 | 82.4% (126,779) | — |
| 9-10 | 75.7% (130,392) | — |
| 11-12 | 70.2% (46,819) | — |
Registration years in the G20
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the G20 (Mar 2019 to now). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific BMW 3 Series G20
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.