BMW · MOT reliability data
BMW 3 Series
The 3 Series is BMW's highest-volume model and a common company car choice. Here's how it actually performs on DVSA's own data.
BMW · MOT reliability data
The 3 Series is BMW's highest-volume model and a common company car choice. Here's how it actually performs on DVSA's own data.
72.55%
MOT pass rate
Executive saloon / estate
Segment
Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Fuel types available
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA's 2025 MOT test year data, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What to know
The 3 Series tests slightly below BMW's overall brand average of 79.3%, sitting closer to the national average at 72.55%. This is a useful reminder that a strong brand-wide figure doesn't automatically apply to every individual model, particularly BMW's highest-volume one, which covers a huge spread of ages, mileages, and prior use, including a large number of former company cars.
Given how commonly the 3 Series was used as a fleet or company car, particularly diesel variants, checking a specific example's mileage pattern and advisory history is genuinely worthwhile before buying.
Check a specific 3 Series's MOT history, tax status, and advisories by registration number.
Check MOT historySee how the BMW range compares overall, with model-by-model pass rates.
View BMW brand page