2018 · 6 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2018 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

23,834 MOT tests in 2024. 86.5% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time86.5%
Failed or needed repairs13.5%
Typical mileage at test55,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 23,834 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    827 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
    480 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    421 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.2%
    392 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.6%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  10. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.4%
    97 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.9%
  2. Brakes2.5%
  3. Lights & electrics2.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.6%
  5. Suspension1.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.2%
  7. Wheels0.7%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.4%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.2%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.6%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.5%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2018 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 86.5% of 2018 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 23,834 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).