2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

758 MOT tests in 2024. 88.0% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time88.0%
Failed or needed repairs12.0%
Typical mileage at test49,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 758 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.2%
    59 marked dangerous
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
    30 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  5. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.7%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    11 marked dangerous
  7. Washers: not working0.4%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.4%
  10. Seat belts - condition: buckle missing0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.3%
  2. Suspension2.8%
  3. Brakes1.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks1.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%
  6. Lights & electrics1.5%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.9%
  8. Wheels0.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.8%
  3. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.5%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm1.3%

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 2016 BMW m3?

In 2024, 88.0% of 2016 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 758 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2016 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).