2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 BMW X3 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,882 MOT tests in 2024. 73.0% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time73.0%
Failed or needed repairs27.0%
Typical mileage at test109,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,882 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    208 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    113 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    97 marked dangerous
  5. Position lamp: not working1.4%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.4%
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.3%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.3%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.2%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.5%
  2. Suspension9.2%
  3. Tyres7.2%
  4. Brakes5.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.2%
  6. Steering1.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks0.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)19.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.5%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.5%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.4%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2010 X3All X3 years2012 X3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 BMW X3?

In 2024, 73.0% of 2011 BMW X3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,882 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 BMW X3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 BMW X3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).