BMW X3 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the BMW X3 took 97,781 MOT tests in Britain and passed 80% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 97,781
First-time pass rate: 80%
All cars: 71%

What the X3 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Lights and electrics7.0% (all cars 11.3%)
Tyres5.9% (all cars 6.4%)
Suspension4.8% (all cars 9.0%)
Brakes3.6% (all cars 6.8%)
Visibility3.6% (all cars 4.8%)
Exhaust and emissions1.4% (all cars 3.1%)
Seat belts and airbags1.0% (all cars 1.0%)
Body and structure0.7% (all cars 3.5%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Coil spring: fractured or broken 2.6%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2.0%
Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.9%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.8%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 1.5%
Side repeaters: not working 1.4%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 1.4%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect 1.3%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 18.1%
Brake pads: wearing thin 7.7%
Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) 5.6%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 4.4%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 3.6%
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 3.3%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 3.2%
Suspension arms, pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement 2.6%

Pass rate by year of registration

Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2004	2,651	61%
2005	3,125	61%
2006	3,727	64%
2007	2,686	65%
2008	1,718	69%
2009	1,476	70%
2010	959	75%
2011	4,184	74%
2012	6,962	71%
2013	7,249	74%
2014	6,176	76%
2015	7,079	79%
2016	9,092	81%
2017	8,116	85%
2018	8,180	88%
2019	16,019	90%
2020	7,799	90%
2021	573	93%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	26,211 miles
4 years	33,135 miles
5 years	40,709 miles
6 years	52,239 miles
7 years	61,296 miles
8 years	73,224 miles
9 years	83,056 miles
10 years	91,307 miles
11 years	98,550 miles
12 years	105,064 miles
13 years	107,977 miles
14 years	112,287 miles
15 years	116,810 miles
16 years	126,053 miles
17 years	132,447 miles
18 years	138,003 miles
19 years	121,442 miles

Check a particular X3

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.