2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

21,990 MOT tests in 2024. 67.4% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time67.4%
Failed or needed repairs32.6%
Typical mileage at test122,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 21,990 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    1,106 marked dangerous
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.7%
  5. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
    830 marked dangerous
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    546 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.4%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.9%
  2. Suspension14.0%
  3. Brakes13.8%
  4. Tyres9.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%
  7. Body & chassis2.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.2%
  2. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated18.6%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.7%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.9%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.1%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. 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 2008 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 67.4% of 2008 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 21,990 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).