Comparison · executive cars
BMW 3 Series vs Ford Mondeo: which is more reliable?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 100 for the Ford Mondeo, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 670,398 real MOT tests in 2024.
BMW 3 Series
Ford Mondeo
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | BMW 3 Series | Ford Mondeo |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 100About average | 98About average |
| 6–9 years | 108Above average | 105Above average |
| 10–14 years | 110Well above average | 100About average |
| 15+ years | 115Well above average | 97Below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | BMW 3 Series | Ford Mondeo |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.0% | 81.8% |
| 2020 | 86.0% | 83.3% |
| 2019 | 86.9% | 85.3% |
| 2018 | 86.5% | 84.8% |
| 2017 | 85.2% | 83.4% |
| 2016 | 83.6% | 81.0% |
| 2015 | 81.1% | 77.5% |
| 2014 | 77.0% | 68.6% |
| 2013 | 73.4% | 66.5% |
| 2012 | 68.9% | 64.8% |
| 2011 | 68.7% | 63.2% |
| 2010 | 67.4% | 59.6% |
| 2009 | 66.0% | 57.9% |
| 2008 | 67.4% | 55.3% |
| 2007 | 67.3% | 54.8% |
| 2006 | 66.0% | 55.7% |
| 2005 | 65.0% | 54.6% |
| 2004 | 64.7% | 54.3% |
| 2003 | 65.6% | 55.6% |
| 2002 | 65.7% | 55.7% |
| 2001 | 64.6% | 56.5% |
| 2000 | 65.0% | 56.8% |
| 1999 | 66.2% | 59.1% |
| 1998 | 67.7% | 58.1% |
| 1997 | 67.8% | 60.6% |
| 1996 | 69.1% | 63.0% |
| 1995 | 69.4% | 59.2% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | BMW 3 Series | Ford Mondeo |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 11.8 | 19.3 |
| Brakes | 9.0 | 13.1 |
| Suspension | 8.2 | 13.8 |
| Tyres | 8.6 | 9.9 |
| Emissions & leaks | 3.6 | 5.3 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 3.6 | 4.6 |
| Body & chassis | 1.4 | 5.1 |
| Steering | 0.7 | 2.6 |
BMW 3 Series: top failures
Ford Mondeo: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Ford Mondeo?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 100 for the Ford Mondeo, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Ford Mondeo can be compared?
Both were tested for 27 registration years (1995–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 27 of them and the Ford Mondeo in 0.
What fails most on each?
BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Ford Mondeo: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick.