2007 · 17 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2007 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

408 MOT tests in 2024. 87.5% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

154Well above average
Passed first time87.5%
Failed or needed repairs12.5%
Typical mileage at test88,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 408 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  2. Position lamp: not working1.7%
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: too low1.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.0%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.0%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
    8 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
    3 marked dangerous
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits0.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics6.1%
  2. Brakes5.4%
  3. Emissions & leaks5.1%
  4. Tyres2.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  6. Suspension1.7%
  7. Steering0.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.9%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened4.7%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2007 BMW m3?

In 2024, 87.5% of 2007 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 408 tests. The average for all 17-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2007 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2007 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 154, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).