BMW 3 Series MOT Failure Rate — 6-10 Years Old

20.4%
MOT failure rate for 6-10-year-old BMW 3 Series vehicles
Based on 621,125 MOT tests
7.6pp below the UK average (28%)

BMW 3 Series in this age bracket has a 20.4% failure rate. Key areas to check before your MOT: lamps & electrics and tyres.

Component Risk Breakdown (6-10 Years)

Which parts of a 6-10-year-old BMW 3 Series are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Lamps & Electrics 4.0%
Tyres 3.4%
Brakes 1.8%
Suspension 1.7%
Visibility 1.2%
Body & Chassis 0.2%
Steering 0.2%

How Does This Compare?

BMW 3 Series MOT failure rate across all age groups:

Age Failure Rate Tests Worst Area
0-2 years 12.7% 19,895 Tyres
3-5 years 11.5% 138,956 Tyres
6-10 years 20.4% 621,125 Lamps & Electrics
11-15 years 30.2% 620,803 Lamps & Electrics
15+ years 33.3% 441,197 Lamps & Electrics

Nearby Competitors

How does the BMW 3 Series compare to similar models at this age?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 6-10 year old BMW 3 Series reliable?

6-10-year-old BMW 3 Series vehicles have a 20.4% failure rate, which is close to the UK average. It offers typical reliability for this age bracket.

What are the common MOT failures on a 6-10 year old BMW 3 Series?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

  • Lamps & Electrics — 4.0% failure risk
  • Tyres — 3.4% failure risk
  • Brakes — 1.8% failure risk

How can I prepare my BMW 3 Series for its MOT?

For a 6-10-year-old BMW 3 Series, focus on: (1) Lamps & Electrics — the most common failure area at this age. (2) Check all lights and bulbs. (3) Inspect tyres for tread depth and damage. (4) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage (£20–£40). You can also use our free prediction tool for a personalised risk breakdown.

Other BMW 3 Series Age Groups

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands for the 6-10-year age group, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only combinations with 100+ tests are included. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

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