BMW 3 SERIES MOT pass rate
82.6% of 902,085 BMW 3 SERIES MOT tests pass.
At 82.6%, The 3 SERIES passes slightly less often than the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
The BMW 3 SERIES has a pass rate of 82.6%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this BMW 3 SERIES?
This is the average across every BMW 3 SERIES in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 89.0% at 0–3 years to 76.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.0% | 36,897 | 34,354 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.0% | 139,329 | 46,726 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.2% | 214,796 | 80,756 miles |
| 10–15 years | 79.0% | 258,558 | 112,654 miles |
| 15+ years | 76.0% | 252,505 | 124,842 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW 3 SERIES
The most common reason the BMW 3 SERIES fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.9% | Not working |
| Tyres | 32.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 31.5% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 31.4% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 12.6% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.3% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 4.8% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.4% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Related BMW models
- BMW 1 SERIES — 83.7% pass rate
- BMW 5 SERIES — 85.0% pass rate
- BMW 2 SERIES — 89.3% pass rate
- BMW 4 SERIES — 88.9% pass rate
- BMW X5 — 86.7% pass rate
- BMW X3 — 86.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 3 SERIES?
- 82.6% of BMW 3 SERIES MOT tests pass, based on 902,085 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW 3 SERIES?
- The most common reason the BMW 3 SERIES fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- Does this show the BMW 3 SERIES's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.