2000 · 24 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2000 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

2,705 MOT tests in 2024. 65.0% passed first time, compared with 61.5% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time65.0%
Failed or needed repairs35.0%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,705 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.1%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.6%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.4%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%
  6. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.0%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.9%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.7%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes21.5%
  2. Lights & electrics19.6%
  3. Suspension18.9%
  4. Emissions & leaks8.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.1%
  6. Tyres5.9%
  7. Body & chassis5.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.5%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine21.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2000 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 65.0% of 2000 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,705 tests. The average for all 24-year-old cars was 61.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2000 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2000 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).