2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

654 MOT tests in 2024. 86.4% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

140Well above average
Passed first time86.4%
Failed or needed repairs13.6%
Typical mileage at test68,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 654 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    17 marked dangerous
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
    13 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.9%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.8%
  9. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened0.6%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics5.5%
  2. Tyres5.2%
  3. Emissions & leaks3.8%
  4. Brakes3.2%
  5. Suspension2.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.2%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.1%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.1%

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 2011 BMW m3?

In 2024, 86.4% of 2011 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 654 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 140, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).