Comparison · executive cars

BMW 3 Series vs Volkswagen Passat: which is more reliable?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 104 for the Volkswagen Passat, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 665,356 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 3 Series

110Well above average
MOT tests479,358

Volkswagen Passat

104Above average
MOT tests185,998

By age

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

Age at testBMW 3 SeriesVolkswagen Passat
3–5 years
100About average
102About average
6–9 years
108Above average
104Above average
10–14 years
110Well above average
103Above average
15+ years
115Well above average
105Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 3 SeriesVolkswagen Passat
202185.0%86.6%
202086.0%88.7%
201986.9%86.9%
201886.5%85.5%
201785.2%81.9%
201683.6%79.9%
201581.1%78.0%
201477.0%71.6%
201373.4%68.0%
201268.9%65.7%
201168.7%64.6%
201067.4%62.5%
200966.0%63.9%
200867.4%61.0%
200767.3%59.3%
200666.0%56.8%
200565.0%57.9%
200464.7%58.5%
200365.6%57.3%
200265.7%57.6%
200164.6%56.5%
200065.0%55.0%
199966.2%57.9%
199867.7%54.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 3 SeriesVolkswagen Passat
Lights & electrics11.811.0
Suspension8.214.5
Tyres8.69.8
Brakes9.07.7
Emissions & leaks3.64.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.63.0
Body & chassis1.44.6
Seat belts & airbags1.11.7

BMW 3 Series: top failures

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

Volkswagen Passat: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.7%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Volkswagen Passat?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 104 for the Volkswagen Passat, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Volkswagen Passat can be compared?

Both were tested for 24 registration years (1998–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 22 of them and the Volkswagen Passat in 2.

What fails most on each?

BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Volkswagen Passat: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken.