MOT performance
BMW X3 F25 (2011–2017): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 87,940 MOT tests on the BMW X3 F25 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Apr 2011–Aug 2017, on average 8.8 years old at test), 76.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the F25 failed 19% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the G01, it fails 7% more often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.81× vs 0.76×).
87,940 MOT tests on 44,000 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.5% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 87,940 |
| All BMW X3s | 79.8% | n = 204,786 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.81× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; BMW X3 overall 0.79× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.3% | n = 87,940 |
| Average age at test | 8.8 years | n = 87,940 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2011–2017 | Jan 2011 to Oct 2017 |
F25 against the other BMW X3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F25 (2011–2017) | 87,940 | 8.8 yrs | 76.5% | -19% | 6.3% |
| G01 (2017–2024) | 77,532 | 3.5 yrs | 88.9% | -24% | 3.6% |
Where the F25 differs
- Body, chassis and structure: the F25 failed 59% less often than the BMW X3 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.11× vs 0.27×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the F25 failed 50% less often than the BMW X3 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.28× vs 0.56×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the F25 failed 35% less often than the BMW X3 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.68× vs 1.05×).
- Steering: the F25 failed 23% more often than the BMW X3 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.33× vs 0.27×).
| Area | F25 (vs similar) | G01 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 9.5% (-7%) | 1.6% (-52%) |
| Tyres | 6.1% (-15%) | 6.0% (+11%) |
| Suspension | 5.7% (-36%) | 0.2% (-85%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.6% (-10%) | 2.3% (-29%) |
| Brakes | 3.3% (-50%) | 0.7% (-70%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.7% (-72%) | 0.9% (-13%) |
| Steering | 0.6% (-67%) | 0.0% (-81%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% (-32%) | 0.1% (-61%) |
| Road wheels | 0.5% (+4%) | 0.2% (-25%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.3% (-89%) | 0.1% (-75%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% (-14%) | 0.3% (+8%) |
Most common BMW X3 F25 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.99% |
| Side repeaters: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.64% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.29% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.98% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.92% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | F25 pass rate (tests) | G01 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 89.5% (45,354) |
| 5-6 | 83.6% (11,541) | 87.7% (14,819) |
| 7-8 | 79.3% (29,590) | — |
| 9-10 | 74.2% (26,583) | — |
| 11-12 | 71.3% (19,018) | — |
| 13-15 | 73.6% (1,208) | — |
Registration years in the F25
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 F25 (Jan 2011 to Oct 2017). 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 X3 F25
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.