MOT fail rates by first-use year
2002 BMW 3 Series MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW 3 Series cars first used in 2002 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 35,450 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 23 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 23 years old, BMW 3 Series cars first used in 2002 failed 32.9% of MOTs (6,970 tests), 6.7 points below the 39.6% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 20 to 23 years old, the fail rate moved from 37.1% to 32.9%.
- BMW 3 Series cars first used a year earlier, in 2001, failed 35.1% at the same age of 23 years (5,273 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW 3 Series at 23 years, is handbrake too weak, at 3.7 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.4).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 20 years | 37.1% | 11,046 | 42.8% | −5.7 pts |
| 2023 | 21 years | 35.2% | 9,434 | 42.1% | −6.9 pts |
| 2024 | 22 years | 33.9% | 8,000 | 41.0% | −7.1 pts |
| 2025 | 23 years | 32.9% | 6,970 | 39.6% | −6.7 pts |
Most common faults at 23 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 23 years: cars first used 1999 to 2002, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=19,516). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Handbrake too weak | 3.7 | 2.4 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 3.6 | 1.8 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 3.6 | 1.2 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 2.6 | 2.7 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | 2.3 | 1.2 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 2.3 | 3.5 |
| Engine warning lamp at the petrol emissions check: not working or showing a fault | 2.1 | 1.3 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=19,516). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 21.3 | 15.2 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 20.4 | 15.4 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 13.9 | 12.6 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.8 | 9.9 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 8.1 | 10.3 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 6.1 | 4.7 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 5.8 | 6.6 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 5.7 | 7.7 |
| Suspension ball joint: slight play | 5.6 | 2.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=19,516). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 23 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 23 years: cars first used 1999 to 2002, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=19,516). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 92.8% | 34.4% | 18,101 | 39.1% | 111,457 miles |
| Diesel | 7.2% | 36.1% | 1,401 | 41.1% | 149,631 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 23 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 23 years: cars first used 1999 to 2002, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=19,516). At 23 years, BMW 3 Series cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (38.4%, n=3,766) than those at 30,000 to 60,000 miles (26.2%, n=1,411). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000 to 60,000 miles | 26.2% | 1,411 | 32.7% |
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 32.0% | 3,758 | 38.4% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 35.9% | 5,408 | 42.0% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 36.5% | 4,693 | 43.8% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 38.4% | 3,766 | 44.7% |
Car tax rules for a 2002 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2002 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2002 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- Hybrids follow the Euro standard of their petrol or diesel engine.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the BMW 3 Series
Other BMW models first used in 2002
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 5 Series (2002) | 23 years in 2025 | 32.3% | 2,047 | 39.6% |
| BMW Z3 (2002) | 23 years in 2025 | 26.2% | 1,045 | 39.6% |
| BMW X5 (2002) | 22 years in 2024 | 38.1% | 1,032 | 41.0% |
More on the BMW 3 Series
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2002 BMW 3 Series cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.