2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

32,269 MOT tests in 2024. 68.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time68.9%
Failed or needed repairs31.1%
Typical mileage at test108,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 32,269 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.1%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    1,811 marked dangerous
  3. Position lamp: not working3.1%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    1,021 marked dangerous
  5. Side repeaters: not working1.9%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.6%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    658 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics19.6%
  2. Suspension12.3%
  3. Tyres9.6%
  4. Brakes8.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.9%
  7. Wheels1.5%
  8. Body & chassis1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  3. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)8.2%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.4%

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: 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 2012 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 68.9% of 2012 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 32,269 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).