MOT performance
BMW M3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 31,544 MOT tests of the BMW M3 in 2023–2024, 85.7% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, BMW M3s failed 59% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “condition: has ply or cords exposed”, on 1.39% of tests.
31,544 MOT tests on 17,781 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.7% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 31,544 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.41× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 3.5% | n = 31,544 |
| Average age at test | 14.8 years | n = 31,544 |
| Median mileage at test | 74,645 miles | n = 31,544 |
| Vehicles tested | 17,781 | 2023–2024 |
Where BMW M3s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.6% | -70% |
| Tyres | 3.4% | -43% |
| Brakes | 3.3% | -64% |
| Suspension | 3.2% | -73% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.4% | -58% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.1% | -65% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.9% | -50% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.8% | -85% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | +23% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | -10% |
| Steering | 0.2% | -91% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.39% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.10% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.97% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.94% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 0.88% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 0.78% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.76% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 0.74% |
| Headlamp aim: too high | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.71% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 0.67% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 8.47% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 6.42% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 4.22% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 3.26% |
| Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.03% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 763 | 92.9% | -42% |
| 5-6 | 3,357 | 88.7% | -34% |
| 7-8 | 2,501 | 88.2% | -49% |
| 9-10 | 1,502 | 89.3% | -62% |
| 11-12 | 2,440 | 87.4% | -62% |
| 13-15 | 4,712 | 87.0% | -68% |
| 16+ | 15,822 | 83.0% | -59% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 680 | 94.4% | 0.52× |
| 2018 | 1,746 | 90.5% | 0.61× |
| 2017 | 1,972 | 87.9% | 0.67× |
| 2016 | 1,522 | 88.4% | 0.55× |
| 2015 | 1,106 | 88.2% | 0.47× |
| 2014 | 452 | 87.0% | 0.45× |
| 2013 | 897 | 89.4% | 0.38× |
| 2012 | 1,173 | 88.1% | 0.38× |
| 2011 | 1,353 | 86.7% | 0.38× |
| 2010 | 1,265 | 87.4% | 0.34× |
| 2009 | 1,415 | 87.9% | 0.30× |
| 2008 | 2,218 | 86.6% | 0.32× |
| 2007 | 872 | 87.2% | 0.30× |
| 2006 | 700 | 86.0% | 0.34× |
| 2005 | 1,988 | 83.0% | 0.39× |
| 2004 | 2,796 | 83.6% | 0.38× |
| 2003 | 3,867 | 82.7% | 0.40× |
| 2002 | 2,439 | 82.2% | 0.41× |
| 2001 | 635 | 80.8% | 0.45× |
| 1998 | 390 | 78.2% | 0.68× |
| 1997 | 424 | 81.1% | 0.61× |
| 1996 | 338 | 78.1% | 0.69× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
What a BMW M3 costs to own
73 Auto's worked ownership-cost examples for this model:
Check a specific BMW M3
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.