MOT performance
2002 BMW M3: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,439 MOT tests on 2002-registered BMW M3s in 2023–2024 (on average 20.9 years old at test, median 103,532 miles), 82.2% passed first time, 3.5 points lower than the BMW M3 overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2002 BMW M3s failed 59% less often than comparable cars.
2,439 MOT tests on 1,415 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 | 82.2% | ±1.5 pts (95%), n = 2,439 |
| All BMW M3s | 85.7% | n = 31,544 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.41× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 3.9% | n = 2,439 |
| Average age at test | 20.9 years | n = 2,439 |
Where 2002 BMW M3s fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.6% | -65% |
| Brakes | 5.8% | -57% |
| Suspension | 4.8% | -70% |
| Tyres | 2.6% | -59% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.5% | -68% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% | -72% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.1% | -77% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.6% | -48% |
| Steering | 0.5% | -88% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | +1% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -74% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 1.60% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.52% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | Seat belts and airbags | 1.39% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | Brakes | 1.19% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.19% |
Check a specific 2002 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.
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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.