BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 2016
87.5% pass rate
from 33,243 tests in 2021
(28% better than other 2016 cars)
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 2016 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 4.6% fail on Tyres (17% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Condition (25% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 2.1% fail on Tread depth (11% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.051% fail on Size/type
  • 2.7% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (22% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 1.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 1.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.081% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 0.74% fail on Headlamps
      • 0.68% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.039% fail on Headlamp levelling device
      • 0.012% fail on Headlamp cleaning device (76% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0030% fail on Matched pair
    • 0.42% fail on Direction indicators
      • 0.42% fail on Flashing type
        • 0.36% fail on Side repeaters (31% worse than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.051% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.0060% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.0030% fail on Switch
    • 0.084% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.078% fail on Horn (89% worse than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0060% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.078% fail on Stop lamp (88% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.045% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (76% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.042% fail on Rear fog lamp (77% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.042% fail on Rear fog lamp (77% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0030% fail on Front fog lamps
        • 0.0030% fail on Front fog lamps
    • 0.021% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (94% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.021% fail on Rear reflectors
    • 0.018% fail on Reversing lamps
      • 0.018% fail on Reversing lamps
    • 0.012% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.0090% fail on Position lamp
      • 0.0030% fail on Switch
    • 0.0030% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.0030% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
  • 1.7% fail on Brakes (38% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Mechanical brake components (37% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Brake linings and pads (33% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Brake pads (33% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0030% fail on Brake linings
      • 0.21% fail on Brake discs and drums (55% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.21% fail on Brake discs (55% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.48% fail on Brake performance (34% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.26% fail on Service brake performance (37% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.24% fail on Rbt (40% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.22% fail on Service brake performance (33% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.027% fail on Service brake imbalance (66% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.012% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.0090% fail on Service brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
          • 0.0030% fail on Service brake performance
        • 0.0090% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.0090% fail on Service brake performance (3 times worse than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (30% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.15% fail on Rbt (sp) (33% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.012% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
        • 0.0030% fail on Plate brake tester (sp)
      • 0.033% fail on Brake performance not tested
      • 0.030% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (63% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Rbt (sp) (69% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.015% fail on Service brake imbalance (69% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.0090% fail on Service brake performance (73% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0060% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 0.030% fail on Parking brake performance (69% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Rbt (74% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.018% fail on Parking brake performance (78% better than other 2016 cars)
          • 0.0060% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
        • 0.0060% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.0030% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.0030% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
    • 0.063% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC
      • 0.042% fail on Anti-lock braking system
      • 0.015% fail on Electronic braking system
      • 0.0090% fail on Electronic stability control (82% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.042% fail on Parking brake control (62% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.039% fail on Lever (59% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0030% fail on Electronic parking brake
    • 0.027% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever (68% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.015% fail on Pedal
      • 0.012% fail on Hand lever (76% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.018% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.018% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.015% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.0030% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.0030% fail on Valves
    • 0.0030% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.0030% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.0030% fail on Other components
  • 1.5% fail on Visibility (62% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.94% fail on Washers (16% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.50% fail on Wipers (83% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.084% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.084% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.012% fail on View to rear
      • 0.0090% fail on Mirrors (74% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0030% fail on Indirect vision devices
  • 0.50% fail on Road Wheels (170% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.36% fail on Attachment (160% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Condition (180% worse than other 2016 cars)
  • 0.43% fail on Suspension (79% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.19% fail on Suspension arms (62% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.096% fail on Pins and bushes (61% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.066% fail on Ball joint (66% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.015% fail on Ball joint dust cover (72% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.012% fail on Suspension arm
    • 0.16% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.036% fail on Anti-roll bars (82% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.015% fail on Linkage
      • 0.0090% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover (80% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0060% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.0030% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.0030% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.027% fail on Wheel bearings (68% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.012% fail on Springs (99% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.012% fail on Coil springs (99% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0090% fail on Coil spring (99% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0030% fail on Mounting
    • 0.012% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.0060% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.0030% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.0030% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.0090% fail on Air/gas/fluid suspension
      • 0.0060% fail on Other components (10 times worse than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0030% fail on Levelling valve
    • 0.0060% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.0060% fail on Macpherson strut
    • 0.0030% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.0030% fail on Pins and bushes
  • 0.37% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (56% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.35% fail on Exhaust emissions (57% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Spark ignition (54% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.17% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (43% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.039% fail on Catalyst emissions (77% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0090% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.0090% fail on Catalytic converter
        • 0.0030% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 0.0030% fail on Emissions not tested
      • 0.14% fail on Compression ignition (60% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.078% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (69% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.042% fail on On or after 01/01/2014
        • 0.0090% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.0030% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.0030% fail on Other emission control equipment
        • 0.0030% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo
        • 0.0030% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.0030% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
    • 0.018% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.015% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.0030% fail on Other leaks
  • 0.31% fail on Identification of the vehicle (46% worse than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.31% fail on Registration plates (47% worse than other 2016 cars)
  • 0.15% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (49% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.11% fail on Seat belts (35% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.093% fail on Condition (40% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.015% fail on Requirements
    • 0.033% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (72% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.0060% fail on Airbags
      • 0.0030% fail on Drivers airbag
      • 0.0030% fail on Passengers airbag
  • 0.12% fail on Steering (55% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.10% fail on Steering linkage components (53% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.084% fail on Track rod end (59% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.0060% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.0060% fail on Steering arm
      • 0.0060% fail on Other components
        • 0.0030% fail on Steering component
        • 0.0030% fail on Steering linkage
      • 0.0030% fail on Drag link end
    • 0.012% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.012% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.0060% fail on Steering play
      • 0.0060% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.0030% fail on Steering wheel
  • 0.099% fail on Body, chassis, structure (82% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.033% fail on Transmission (85% better than other 2016 cars)
      • 0.033% fail on Drive shafts (83% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.030% fail on Joints (85% better than other 2016 cars)
        • 0.0030% fail on Drive shaft
    • 0.021% fail on Exhaust system (87% better than other 2016 cars)
    • 0.015% fail on Body
      • 0.015% fail on Other body component
    • 0.015% fail on Seats
      • 0.015% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.012% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.0030% fail on Doors
      • 0.0030% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.0030% fail on Door condition
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