1990–2021 · 479,358 MOT tests

BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate by year

How every year of the BMW 3 Series did at its MOT in 2024, compared with the average car of the same age.

110Well above average

Best year200867.4% passed

Worst year199464.8% passed

Rank in BMW12 of 29

Pass rate by year of registration

Pass rate first time Average for a car that age

Every year

Year	Tests	Passed	Average	Score
2021 3 Series	22,531	85.0%	87.6%	97Below average
2020 3 Series	19,830	86.0%	86.9%	99About average
2019 3 Series	24,628	86.9%	84.9%	102Above average
2018 3 Series	23,834	86.5%	82.5%	105Above average
2017 3 Series	29,555	85.2%	79.8%	107Above average
2016 3 Series	31,140	83.6%	76.6%	109Well above average
2015 3 Series	31,108	81.1%	73.5%	110Well above average
2014 3 Series	31,325	77.0%	69.9%	110Well above average
2013 3 Series	33,712	73.4%	66.8%	110Well above average
2012 3 Series	32,269	68.9%	64.3%	107Above average
2011 3 Series	27,268	68.7%	61.8%	111Well above average
2010 3 Series	25,215	67.4%	59.6%	113Well above average
2009 3 Series	22,448	66.0%	58.4%	113Well above average
2008 3 Series	21,990	67.4%	56.9%	118Well above average
2007 3 Series	25,505	67.3%	56.9%	118Well above average
2006 3 Series	18,728	66.0%	56.1%	118Well above average
2005 3 Series	11,878	65.0%	56.5%	115Well above average
2004 3 Series	9,504	64.7%	56.4%	115Well above average
2003 3 Series	10,064	65.6%	57.3%	115Well above average
2002 3 Series	7,702	65.7%	58.1%	113Well above average
2001 3 Series	5,070	64.6%	59.4%	109Well above average
2000 3 Series	2,705	65.0%	61.5%	106Above average
1999 3 Series	2,519	66.2%	63.3%	105Above average
1998 3 Series	2,031	67.7%	64.9%	104Above average
1997 3 Series	1,536	67.8%	65.5%	103Above average
1996 3 Series	1,109	69.1%	66.2%	104Above average
1995 3 Series	771	69.4%	66.8%	104Above average
1994 3 Series	500	64.8%	67.5%	96Below average
1993 3 Series	464	73.3%	67.5%	109Well above average
1992 3 Series	473	75.3%	68.8%	109Well above average
1991 3 Series	715	77.6%	71.1%	109Well above average
1990 3 Series	1,231	77.0%	72.0%	107Above average

Common failures, all years

Share of all 479,358 tests.

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.7%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%

Compare the BMW 3 Series with rivals

Other BMW models

Model	MOT tests	MOT Rank score
BMW 1 Series	376,343	106Above average
BMW 5 Series	205,999	113Well above average
BMW 2 Series	119,218	104Above average
BMW 4 Series	103,983	107Above average
BMW X3	101,858	107Above average
BMW X1	99,063	108Above average
BMW X5	89,430	112Well above average
BMW Z4	34,256	121Well above average