Skip to main content
GB
MOT
Checkup

BMW X3 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW X3. Check any X3 by registration number below.

GB

Free, instant, no sign-up required.

77.7%

Avg Pass Rate

-12.2%

vs BMW Avg

20

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

BMW X3 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW X3 has an average MOT pass rate of 77.7%, which is 12.2 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your X3 on the road.

The most common reasons a BMW X3 fails its MOT are a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. If you are preparing your X3 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Typical mileage for the X3 is around 44,000 miles at 5 years. When evaluating a used X3, compare the odometer reading against these benchmarks. Significantly lower mileage than expected could indicate a clocked vehicle — run a free mileage check to verify.

Before buying a used BMW X3, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW X3 performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 5,125 vehicles

93.3%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

8.0%

Mileage at 3yr

39k mi

2020

Based on 17,451 vehicles

91.7%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

9.1%

Mileage at 3yr

41k mi

Mileage at 5yr

60k mi

2019

Based on 45,334 vehicles

91.9%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

9.2%

Mileage at 3yr

45k mi

Mileage at 5yr

68k mi

2018

Based on 23,906 vehicles

91.6%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

8.6%

Mileage at 5yr

67k mi

2017

Based on 22,797 vehicles

88.1%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

13.0%

Mileage at 5yr

76k mi

2016

Based on 24,679 vehicles

85.3%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

16.0%

2015

Based on 19,124 vehicles

84.2%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

17.3%

Mileage at 10yr

142k mi

2014

Based on 16,285 vehicles

81.2%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.3%

Retest Rate

20.5%

Mileage at 10yr

145k mi

2013

Based on 19,687 vehicles

80.1%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

20.9%

Mileage at 10yr

147k mi

2012

Based on 18,565 vehicles

78.1%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.0%

Retest Rate

23.5%

Mileage at 10yr

146k mi

2011

Based on 10,998 vehicles

80.6%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

20.8%

2010

Based on 2,445 vehicles

80.2%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

19.7%

2009

Based on 3,860 vehicles

78.3%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

20.9%

2008

Based on 4,361 vehicles

76.7%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

21.7%

2007

Based on 6,578 vehicles

72.6%Average
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

5.5%

Retest Rate

25.8%

2006

Based on 8,985 vehicles

72.5%Average
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

5.2%

Retest Rate

24.8%

2005

Based on 7,375 vehicles

69.7%Average
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

5.9%

Retest Rate

26.0%

2004

Based on 6,224 vehicles

72.2%Average
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

5.1%

Retest Rate

22.8%

2003

Based on 32,000 vehicles

0.8%Poor
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

0.1%

Mileage at 3yr

26k mi

Mileage at 5yr

44k mi

Mileage at 10yr

85k mi

0

Based on 109,562 vehicles

84.9%Good
BMW average: 89.9%
Mileage at 5yr

75k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW X3

The most common reasons a BMW X3 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

1

A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.8%
2

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.1%
3

A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened

1.9%
4

A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

1.7%
5

Warning device shows system malfunction

1.7%

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

1.7%

Rear Offside

1.3%

Rear Nearside

1.2%

Typical Mileage — BMW X3

Average mileage readings recorded at MOT tests for the 2003 model year range. Use these benchmarks to evaluate a used X3.

At 3 Years

26,000

miles

At 5 Years

44,000

miles

At 10 Years

85,000

miles

BMW X3 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW X3 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW X3?
The average MOT pass rate for the BMW X3 is 77.7% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW X3?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW X3 are: A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (2.8%), A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (2.1%), A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (1.9%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.
Is the BMW X3 reliable?
With an average MOT pass rate of 77.7%, the BMW X3 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.
How do I check the MOT history of a BMW X3?
Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.
What mileage should I expect on a BMW X3?
Typical mileage for the BMW X3: 39,272 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used X3 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW X3's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.

GB