2020 BMW 3 Series · 44,856 MOT tests
2020 BMW 3 Series reliability
2020 BMW 3 Seriess fail 11.3% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 25 3 Series years (44,856 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 11.3%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 21% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- 36,531
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 44,856
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2020 against the years either side
- 2019 cars: 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2020 car does worse)
- 2021 cars: 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2020 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 6.7% of tests fail here (34% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2020 car carries a 69 plate (January–February 2020), or a 20 plate (March–August 2020), or a 70 plate (September–December 2020).
Common problems
What fails on a 2020 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Tyres6.7%
- Lights and electrics1.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.1%
- Brakes0.9%
- Suspension0.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%
- Wheels0.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.38%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.21%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre bulge from structural failure 1.02%
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.93%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Headlamp aim set too high 0.5%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.39%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.79%) · Brake pads wearing thin (2.24%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (1.3%) · Child seat limits belt inspection (1.12%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.04%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.04%)
Other years
Every BMW 3 Series year
The full picture: BMW 3 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 3 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2020 BMW 3 Series reliable?
2020 BMW 3 Seriess fail 11.3% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 25 3 Series years (44,856 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2020 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.38% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.21% of tests), tyre bulge from structural failure (1.02% of tests).
How many miles should a 2020 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 3, a typical 2020 BMW 3 Series shows 36,531 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2020 car?
A car first registered in 2020 carries a 69 plate (January–February 2020), or a 20 plate (March–August 2020), or a 70 plate (September–December 2020).
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