MOT fail rates by first-use year
2021 BMW 3 Series MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW 3 Series cars first used in 2021 did at their MOTs from 2024 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 52,093 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 4 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 4 years old, BMW 3 Series cars first used in 2021 failed 12.7% of MOTs (25,479 tests), about the same as the 13.4% for all cars that age.
- From 2024 to 2025, as these cars went from 3 to 4 years old, the fail rate moved from 14.5% to 12.7%.
- BMW 3 Series cars first used a year earlier, in 2020, failed 13.7% at the same age of 4 years (22,398 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW 3 Series at 4 years, is suspension ball joint worn, at 0.5 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 0.1).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 years | 14.5% | 26,614 | 12.1% | +2.4 pts |
| 2025 | 4 years | 12.7% | 25,479 | 13.4% | −0.6 pts |
Most common faults at 4 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2018 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=100,649). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear | 2.4 | 1.5 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Wear | 1.6 | 0.4 |
| Tyre with cords exposed Wear | 1.6 | 0.9 |
| Brake pads under 1.5 mm Wear | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Headlight aimed too high Wear | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 0.4 | 2.5 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 0.4 | 0.6 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=100,649). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 14.4 | 12.4 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.0 | 6.9 |
| Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre | 2.2 | 2.1 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 2.2 | 6.3 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit, under the 1.0 mm rule Wear | 2.0 | 1.8 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 1.5 | 5.2 |
| Shock absorber misting oil | 1.1 | 1.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=100,649). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 4 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2018 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=100,649). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 35.5% | 13.8% | 35,767 | 11.3% | 46,350 miles |
| Petrol | 34.6% | 11.2% | 34,867 | 12.0% | 31,459 miles |
| Diesel | 29.8% | 12.6% | 30,011 | 16.5% | 39,091 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 4 years
These figures cover all BMW 3 Series MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2018 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=100,649). At 4 years, BMW 3 Series cars at 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed more often (17.7%, n=2,844) than those at under 30,000 miles (9.3%, n=30,392). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 miles | 9.3% | 30,392 | 10.2% |
| 30,000 to 60,000 miles | 13.1% | 52,994 | 15.5% |
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 16.3% | 13,436 | 20.7% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 17.7% | 2,844 | 23.1% |
Car tax rules for a 2021 car
- Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay a first-year rate set by CO2 emissions, then the standard rate each year. A petrol, diesel or hybrid car with a list price over £40,000 also pays the expensive car supplement for five years, from the second tax payment.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered from 2006 usually meet Euro 4, the petrol standard for the London ULEZ, so they usually do not pay the daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered from September 2015 usually meet Euro 6, the diesel standard for the London ULEZ, so they usually do not pay the daily charge.
- 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 2021
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 1 Series (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 9.4% | 19,255 | 13.4% |
| BMW 2 Series (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 11.1% | 11,590 | 13.4% |
| BMW X3 (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 11.4% | 10,707 | 13.4% |
| BMW X1 (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 8.4% | 7,642 | 13.4% |
| BMW 4 Series (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 11.7% | 6,932 | 13.4% |
| BMW X5 (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 14.0% | 6,348 | 13.4% |
| BMW 5 Series (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 12.1% | 6,052 | 13.4% |
| BMW i3 (2021) | 4 years in 2025 | 8.9% | 3,515 | 13.4% |
More on the BMW 3 Series
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2021 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.