Comparison · executive cars

BMW 3 Series vs Skoda Superb: which is more reliable?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 102 for the Skoda Superb, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 542,839 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 3 Series

110Well above average

MOT tests479,358

Skoda Superb

102About average

MOT tests63,481

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	BMW 3 Series	Skoda Superb
3–5 years	100About average	98About average
6–9 years	108Above average	103Above average
10–14 years	110Well above average	103Above average
15+ years	115Well above average	106Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	BMW 3 Series	Skoda Superb
2021	85.0%	85.4%
2020	86.0%	85.1%
2019	86.9%	83.5%
2018	86.5%	83.5%
2017	85.2%	81.5%
2016	83.6%	80.3%
2015	81.1%	74.4%
2014	77.0%	70.9%
2013	73.4%	69.4%
2012	68.9%	65.8%
2011	68.7%	64.8%
2010	67.4%	63.3%
2009	66.0%	60.7%
2008	67.4%	64.9%
2007	67.3%	61.4%
2006	66.0%	62.3%
2005	65.0%	55.8%
2004	64.7%	58.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	BMW 3 Series	Skoda Superb
Lights & electrics	11.8	6.9
Suspension	8.2	9.7
Tyres	8.6	8.7
Brakes	9.0	5.0
Emissions & leaks	3.6	2.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.6	1.9
Body & chassis	1.4	1.1
Seat belts & airbags	1.1	0.7

BMW 3 Series: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.7%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%

Skoda Superb: top failures

Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.3%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Skoda Superb?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 102 for the Skoda Superb, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Skoda Superb can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 17 of them and the Skoda Superb in 1.

What fails most on each?

BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Skoda Superb: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed.