2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

7,702 MOT tests in 2024. 65.7% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time65.7%
Failed or needed repairs34.3%
Typical mileage at test117,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,702 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.9%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.8%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.4%
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.4%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
    243 marked dangerous
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes21.4%
  2. Lights & electrics18.6%
  3. Suspension16.4%
  4. Emissions & leaks7.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.2%
  6. Tyres6.6%
  7. Body & chassis4.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.4%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.3%
  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 structure8.4%

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 2002 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 65.7% of 2002 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,702 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2002 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).