Common problems by part
BMW X3 road wheels problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 42,930 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.1 in 100 MOT tests of the BMW X3 failed on road wheels, against 0.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 42,930 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 44 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 21 years and at every older age seen
- Most common fail: Road wheel attachment: fixing missing, 0.1 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A road wheels fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
BMW X3 road wheels fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 42,930 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 4 | 42,922 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 5 | 39,857 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 6 | 41,147 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 7 | 32,583 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| 8 | 30,477 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 9 | 29,549 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| 10 | 27,459 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| 11 | 24,540 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| 12 | 19,147 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 13 | 13,290 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 14 | 8,262 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 15 | 6,997 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| 16 | 9,723 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| 17 | 11,018 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| 18 | 11,190 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| 19* | 7,662 | 0.8 | 0.5 |
| 20* | 4,196 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| 21* | 1,729 | 1.3 | 0.4 |
All first-use years of the BMW X3 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.
What fails in the road wheels at 3 years
Fails
- Road wheel attachment: fixing missing: 0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.1. Replace missing wheel nut or bolt: estimated £10–£59 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£20) Road wheel fixing missing MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Road wheel condition: slightly distorted: 0.1 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.4. Road wheel slightly distorted MOT advisory
Replace missing wheel nut or bolt cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a BMW X3? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.0 diesel: 0.1 per 100 at 3 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 11,649 MOT tests)
- 3.0 diesel: 0.1 per 100 at 3 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,743 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Road wheel condition: slightly distorted.
Check one BMW X3, not the average
The figures here describe BMW X3 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a BMW X3's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other BMW X3 problems
Road wheels on rival models
- Nissan Qashqai road wheels problems: 0.1 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the BMW X3 (160,434 MOT tests)
- Ford Kuga road wheels problems: 0.1 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the BMW X3 (105,855 MOT tests)
- Volkswagen Tiguan road wheels problems: 0.1 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the BMW X3 (100,852 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the BMW X3 have more road wheels problems than other cars?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 42,930 MOT tests).
How common are BMW X3 road wheels problems?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on road wheels, against 0.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 42,930 MOT tests).
What is the most common BMW X3 road wheels fail?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years: Road wheel attachment: fixing missing (25 MOT tests with it).
At what age do BMW X3 road wheels fails start?
21 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 1,729 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 404,678 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare