2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,074 MOT tests in 2024. 85.8% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

151Well above average
Passed first time85.8%
Failed or needed repairs14.2%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,074 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    47 marked dangerous
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
    29 marked dangerous
  4. Position lamp: not working1.2%
  5. Side repeaters: not working1.0%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.9%
  8. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault0.7%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.7%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.2%
  2. Lights & electrics5.1%
  3. Emissions & leaks3.3%
  4. Suspension3.2%
  5. Brakes2.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.9%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.7%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened3.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine2.8%

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: tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. 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 2008 BMW m3?

In 2024, 85.8% of 2008 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,074 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2008 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 151, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).