MOT performance

BMW X3 MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 204,786 MOT tests of the BMW X3 in 2023–2024, 79.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, BMW X3s failed 21% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 2.38% of tests.

204,786 MOT tests on 109,375 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

BMW X3 MOT results at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
First-time pass rate	79.8%	±0.2 pts (95%), n = 204,786
Failures vs similar cars	0.79×	same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect	5.6%	n = 204,786
Average age at test	7.8 years	n = 204,786
Median mileage at test	61,567 miles	n = 204,786
Vehicles tested	109,375	2023–2024

Where BMW X3s 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.

BMW X3 MOT failures by area
Area	Tests failed on it	vs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical	6.9%	-24%
Tyres	6.1%	-7%
Suspension	4.6%	-38%
Driver's view of the road	3.5%	-14%
Brakes	3.4%	-44%
Noise, emissions and leaks	1.4%	-44%
Seat belts and airbags	1.0%	+5%
Body, chassis and structure	0.8%	-73%
Steering	0.4%	-73%
Road wheels	0.4%	+4%
Registration plates and VIN	0.3%	-8%
Speedometer and driving controls	0.0%	+38%

BMW X3 MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol vs hybrid

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

BMW X3 MOT results by fuel
Fuel	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
Diesel	162,002	8.4 yrs	78.4%	-21%
Petrol	26,914	7.4 yrs	83.0%	-23%
Hybrid	12,906	2.4 yrs	88.8%	Same
Electric	2,962	2.1 yrs	86.9%	-4%

BMW X3 MOT pass rate by generation

Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).

BMW X3 MOT results by generation
Generation	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
F25 (2011–2017)	87,940	8.8 yrs	76.5%	-19%
G01 (2017–2024)	77,532	3.5 yrs	88.9%	-24%

Most common failure items

Most common BMW X3 MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Coil spring: fractured or broken	Suspension	2.38%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	2.07%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	1.98%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	Driver's view of the road	1.87%
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	1.52%
Side repeaters: not working	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.49%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.29%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	1.26%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	Driver's view of the road	1.07%
Headlamp aim: too low	Lights, reflectors and electrical	0.92%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common BMW X3 MOT advisories
Item	Area	Share of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	16.19%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	7.33%
Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)	Other	5.61%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	Brakes	4.35%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	3.85%

Pass rate by age

BMW X3 MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
3-4	45,384	89.5%	-28%
5-6	33,340	85.6%	-23%
7-8	30,468	79.4%	-16%
9-10	26,583	74.2%	-19%
11-12	20,473	71.5%	-23%
13-15	9,704	70.0%	-29%
16+	21,475	62.7%	-18%

Pass rate by registration year

BMW X3 MOT pass rate by registration year
Registered	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
2022	355	92.4%	0.63×
2021	14,001	88.5%	0.98×
2020	15,361	89.3%	0.82×
2019	31,771	89.3%	0.70×
2018	16,279	88.1%	0.69×
2017	16,259	84.1%	0.81×
2016	18,126	80.5%	0.86×
2015	14,083	78.7%	0.81×
2014	12,228	75.2%	0.83×
2013	14,364	73.0%	0.82×
2012	13,729	70.6%	0.82×
2011	8,161	73.6%	0.69×
2010	1,871	74.1%	0.64×
2009	2,806	69.8%	0.72×
2008	3,198	68.5%	0.74×
2007	4,944	64.5%	0.81×
2006	6,772	63.6%	0.81×
2005	5,685	60.6%	0.86×
2004	4,790	62.4%	0.81×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

What a BMW X3 costs to own

73 Auto's worked ownership-cost examples for this model:

BMW X3 2019

Check a specific BMW X3

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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.