2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

553 MOT tests in 2024. 86.6% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

135Well above average
Passed first time86.6%
Failed or needed repairs13.4%
Typical mileage at test59,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 553 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
    13 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    12 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.9%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
  8. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.2%
  2. Emissions & leaks3.4%
  3. Lights & electrics3.1%
  4. Brakes2.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.9%
  7. Suspension0.9%
  8. Wheels0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.9%
  4. Transmission oil leaks: leaking excessively from transmission2.9%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.0%

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 2012 BMW m3?

In 2024, 86.6% of 2012 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 553 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 BMW m3?

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

Is the 2012 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 135, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).