2017 · 7 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2017 BMW m3 MOT pass rate and common faults

957 MOT tests in 2024. 89.0% passed first time, compared with 79.8% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time89.0%
Failed or needed repairs11.0%
Typical mileage at test42,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 957 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
    68 marked dangerous
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
    11 marked dangerous
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.5%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.4%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    9 marked dangerous
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
  10. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres5.2%
  2. Suspension3.2%
  3. Emissions & leaks1.4%
  4. Lights & electrics1.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.8%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.8%
  7. Brakes0.4%
  8. Body & chassis0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre1.8%
  5. Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.3%

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 2017 BMW m3?

In 2024, 89.0% of 2017 BMW m3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 957 tests. The average for all 7-year-old cars was 79.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2017 BMW m3?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2017 BMW m3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).