2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

5,070 MOT tests in 2024. 64.6% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time64.6%
Failed or needed repairs35.4%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,070 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.8%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.9%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.3%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  8. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.0%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    150 marked dangerous
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics21.5%
  2. Brakes21.2%
  3. Suspension18.4%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.9%
  5. Tyres6.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.6%
  8. Body & chassis3.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.0%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.5%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.3%

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: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 2001 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 64.6% of 2001 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,070 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 BMW 3 Series?

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

Is the 2001 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).