2013 · 11 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2013 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

33,712 MOT tests in 2024. 73.4% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time73.4%
Failed or needed repairs26.6%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 33,712 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    1,673 marked dangerous
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    979 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    647 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.3%
  9. Side repeaters: not working1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.8%
  2. Tyres9.2%
  3. Suspension8.0%
  4. Brakes6.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.4%
  7. Wheels1.3%
  8. Body & chassis0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.5%
  2. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)9.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.0%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak5.1%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2013 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 73.4% of 2013 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 33,712 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 BMW 3 Series?

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

Is the 2013 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).