2019 · 5 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2019 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

24,628 MOT tests in 2024. 86.9% passed first time, compared with 84.9% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time86.9%
Failed or needed repairs13.1%
Typical mileage at test45,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 24,628 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    815 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    603 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.4%
    510 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    349 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.5%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
  9. Side repeaters: not working0.4%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres8.2%
  2. Brakes2.2%
  3. Lights & electrics1.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks0.9%
  6. Suspension0.7%
  7. Wheels0.6%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.3%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.2%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2018 3 SeriesAll 3 Series years2020 3 Series →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2019 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 86.9% of 2019 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 24,628 tests. The average for all 5-year-old cars was 84.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2019 BMW 3 Series?

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

Is the 2019 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).