Add RegFlags to your home screen
Open RegFlags straight from your home screen when you want to check a car.
On Android, use Install RegFlags when it appears, or pick Install app or Add to Home screen from your browser's menu.
On iPhone or iPad, open this site in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. Keep Open as Web App on if it appears, then tap Add.
BMW M3 MOT reliability
BMW M3s passed their MOT first time 87% of the time across 23,979 tests in 2025. 18,726 are still licensed in Great Britain.
First-time pass rate
87%
MOTs analysed
23,979
Still licensed (GB)
18,726
Body type
Coupe
Pass rate by year of first registration
In detail:
First registered
2021
2021 hybrid
1,763 MOTs
Passed first time 91%. Typical mileage 36,473 (most between 27,033 and 45,732).
2022: 0% → 2023: 94% → 2024: 88% → 2025: 91%
Most common failures
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (2.7%)
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.3%)
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed (1.3%)
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (0.7%)
- Headlamp aim: too high (0.5%)
2021 ed
1,377 MOTs
Passed first time 88%. Typical mileage 44,735 (most between 34,443 and 54,594).
2023: 96% → 2024: 87% → 2025: 88%
Most common failures
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (2.2%)
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.0%)
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed (1.7%)
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1.6%)
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (1.2%)
2021 petrol
740 MOTs
Passed first time 94%. Typical mileage 27,249 (most between 20,165 and 35,277).
2021: 0% → 2022: 100% → 2023: 94% → 2024: 94% → 2025: 94%
Most common failures
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed (1.8%)
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (1.5%)
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1.1%)
- Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements (0.7%)
- Coil spring: fractured or broken (0.5%)
2021 diesel
9 MOTs
Passed first time 67%. Typical mileage 40,225 (most between 36,102 and 48,102).
2024: 91% → 2025: 67%
Most common failures
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed (22.2%)
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (11.1%)
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (11.1%)
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (11.1%)
- Brake performance not tested: unable to be tested (11.1%)
Where 2021 M3s fail
Wheels & tyres
7.3%
Lights & electrics
1.0%
Steering
0.6%
Suspension & axles
0.3%
Brakes
0.2%
Exhaust, emissions & leaks
0.2%
Seat belts & other equipment
0.2%
Visibility & wipers
0.2%
Looking at a particular car?
See its own MOT history, mileage and red flags, compared with these figures. Free.