2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

680 MOT tests in 2024. 88.2% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

151Well above average
Passed first time88.2%
Failed or needed repairs11.8%
Typical mileage at test78,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 680 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
    10 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
    15 marked dangerous
  3. Side repeaters: not working1.0%
  4. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.7%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.7%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.7%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases0.6%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes4.4%
  2. Lights & electrics3.8%
  3. Tyres3.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  5. Suspension2.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.9%
  7. Body & chassis1.3%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.9%

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 weakened4.9%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened3.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.2%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.9%

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 2009 BMW m3?

In 2024, 88.2% of 2009 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 680 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; side repeaters: not working. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2009 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).