2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 BMW X3 MOT pass rate and common faults

6,574 MOT tests in 2024. 70.1% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time70.1%
Failed or needed repairs29.9%
Typical mileage at test104,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,574 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Side repeaters: not working6.6%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    277 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    198 marked dangerous
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    149 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  8. Headlamp aim: too low1.3%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics22.6%
  2. Suspension8.1%
  3. Tyres7.5%
  4. Brakes5.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  6. Steering1.1%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.8%
  8. Body & chassis0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.7%
  2. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)17.0%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.5%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.7%

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: side repeaters: 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 2012 BMW X3?

In 2024, 70.1% of 2012 BMW X3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,574 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 BMW X3?

The most common failure reasons were side repeaters: not working; coil spring: fractured or broken; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 BMW X3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).