BMW iX3 MOT pass rate and common problems
89.9% of 5,293 BMW iX3 MOT tests pass.
The iX3 has a pass rate of 89.9%, a little higher than the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
The BMW iX3 passes its MOT 89.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW iX3?
This is the average across every BMW iX3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 89.5% at 0–3 years compared with 91.9% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.5% | 4,514 | 30,539 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.9% | 779 | 30,830 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW iX3
The most common reason the BMW iX3 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 66.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 66.4% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.2% | Too high |
| Visibility | 15.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 2.2% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.5% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fractured |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.5% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Brakes | 0.3% | Control defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.3% | Component damaged and likely to cause injury |
Buying a used BMW iX3: what to check
These checks follow the BMW iX3’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 89.1% down to 85.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 66.4% of failed BMW iX3 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 17.2% of failed BMW iX3 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.4% of failed BMW iX3 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 2.2% of failed BMW iX3 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 1.5% of failed BMW iX3 MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check BMW service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related BMW models
- BMW M2 — 93.0% pass rate
- BMW M5 — 92.8% pass rate
- BMW i8 — 93.4% pass rate
- BMW X7 — 90.9% pass rate
- BMW M6 — 92.5% pass rate
- BMW Alpina — 89.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW iX3?
- 89.9% of BMW iX3 MOT tests pass, based on 5,293 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW iX3?
- The most common reason the BMW iX3 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 66.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the BMW iX3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW iX3 are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW iX3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; suspension; number plates and vin. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the BMW iX3'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.