BMW M3 MOT reliability
BMW M3s passed their MOT first time 87% of the time across 23,981 tests in 2025. 18,726 are still licensed in Great Britain.
Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
First-time pass rate
87%
MOTs analysed
23,981
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%)
- Brake performance not tested: unable to be tested (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%)
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (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%
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