Verdict
BMW cars pass their MOT first time on 77.4% of tests, against 70.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 85% of cars on UK roads and ranks BMW 3rd of 40 makes, well ahead of Volkswagen and Ford.
The best models are the M3, which beats 99% of cars, the 7 Series (98%), the X6 (96%), the 6 Series (94%) and the 5 Series (92%). The most common models do well too: the 3 Series beats 84% of cars, the X1 87% and the 1 Series 79%.
No common BMW model does badly: the X2 does least well, about average at 50%, and the Z3 still beats 69% of cars. Only the electric iX3, from far fewer tests, is below average, beating 33%.
BMWs fail much less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage on steering and on body and structure (about a third as often), and about 40% less often on suspension, lights and electrics, and emissions and leaks. Wheels are the exception, failing about twice as often as on a typical car, though on under 1 in 100 tests; tyres fail slightly more often than typical, on about 7% of tests.
Where it fails
Every BMW compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
BMW models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series 1987–2023 | 73.6% | Beats 84% | A |
| 1 Series 2004–2023 | 76.2% | Beats 79% | B |
| 5 Series 1995–2023 | 77.3% | Beats 92% | A |
| 2 Series 2014–2023 | 85.1% | Beats 76% | B |
| 4 Series 2013–2023 | 84.8% | Beats 88% | A |
| X3 2004–2022 | 79.1% | Beats 85% | A |
| X1 2009–2023 | 83.1% | Beats 87% | A |
| X5 2001–2023 | 76.2% | Beats 89% | A |
| Z4 2003–2022 | 75.7% | Beats 89% | A |
| 6 Series 1989–2019 | 78.3% | Beats 94% | A |
| M3 1995–2022 | 83.2% | Beats 99% | A |
| i3 2014–2022 | 87.7% | Beats 83% | A |
| 7 Series 1998–2021 | 80.9% | Beats 98% | A |
| Z3 1997–2002 | 65.7% | Beats 69% | B |
| X6 2008–2022 | 82.6% | Beats 96% | A |
| X4 2014–2022 | 85.1% | Beats 85% | A |
| X2 2018–2022 | 85.2% | Beats 50% | C |
| M4 2014–2022 | 87.2% | Beats 83% | A |
| M5 2000–2016 | 85.8% | Beats 100% | A |
| M2 2016–2019 | 89.3% | Beats 92% | A |
| 8 Series 1995–2022 | 83.1% | Beats 67% | B |
| iX3 2021–2023 | 85.1% | Beats 33% | D |
FAQ
What is the BMW MOT pass rate?
77.4% of BMW MOT tests were passed first time, from 14.7 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.0%, so BMWs do clearly better than typical.
Are BMWs reliable?
On MOT results, yes: BMW beats 85% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and ranks 3rd of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which BMW model is most reliable?
Of the models with many tests, the M3 does best, beating 99% of cars on UK roads, followed by the 7 Series and X6. Of the most common models, the 5 Series beats 92% and the 3 Series 84%.
Which BMW should I avoid?
No common BMW model does badly. The X2 does least well, about average at 50% once age and mileage are taken into account, and the Z3 beats 69% of cars.
What do BMWs fail their MOT on?
Lights and electrics and tyres, each on about 7% of tests, then suspension and brakes. Only wheels and tyres fail more often than on a typical car of the same age and mileage.