Across the BMW models we hold data for, 405,483 MOT tests give an average first-time pass rate of 76.1%, below the 80.5% national average for cars aged 3 to 8. The strongest single dataset is the 2015 3 Series at 82.4%; the weakest is the 2012 3 Series at 70.1%. Pick a model to see how it holds up as it ages and what examiners flag.
What fails across BMW
The components examiners flag most often on BMWs, averaged across every model and year we hold and weighted by test volume. The BMWs in this data are mostly diesel (86% diesel), which shapes both the emissions failures above and the running costs.
Brakes35.3%
Lights & electrics11.6%
Emissions & leaks3.5%
Body & structure1.7%
Share of tests flagging each component as a fail or advisory, across all BMW models we hold.
3 Series
76.3% avgX1
72% avgFirst-time MOT pass rate · DVSA bulk data · 2022-2024 · class 4 cars · updated 2026-07-07