2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

842 MOT tests in 2024. 91.0% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time91.0%
Failed or needed repairs9.0%
Typical mileage at test36,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 842 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.6%
    57 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.6%
    10 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  7. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.4%
  8. Headlamp aim: too high0.2%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
  10. Registration plates: insecure0.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.8%
  2. Suspension2.6%
  3. Lights & electrics1.2%
  4. Number plates & VIN0.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.5%
  6. Steering0.2%
  7. Brakes0.2%
  8. Wheels0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm5.5%
  2. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
  5. Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.9%

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 ply or cords exposed. 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 m3?

In 2024, 91.0% of 2018 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 842 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 BMW m3 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).