Family SUV · 1998–2021 cars

BMW X3 reliability

The BMW X3 fails 19.9% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 339,424 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 72/100#17 of 59 family suvs

Checking a BMW X3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 19.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 25% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 339,424; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The BMW X3 performs well in MOT tests. Its first-time fail rate is 19.9%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. It has 25% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and ranks 17 of 59 family SUV models. Still, check it properly.

Cars from 2010 did best, with 40% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Cars from 2005 were weakest, with 16% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Seat belts and airbags are the weak area, with 12% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. On the car you're looking at, check the coil springs for fractures (2.13% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.64%), wiper blades that don't clear the windscreen (1.51%), and tyre cuts reaching the ply or cords (1.37%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW X3 ages

Each point is the share of BMW X3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW X3All cars

BMW X3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW X3	All cars
3	8.7%	12.3%
4	10.1%	14.1%
5	12%	16.4%
6	15.9%	19.1%
7	18.7%	22.1%
8	21.5%	25.5%
9	24.4%	28.8%
10	25.6%	31.8%
11	26.6%	34.6%
12	26.2%	37.3%
13	25.5%	39.5%
14	30.8%	41.1%
15	31.9%	42.3%
16	36.2%	42.9%
17	37.3%	43.4%
18	36.8%	43.5%
19	36.3%	43.4%
20	32.5%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW X3 years

2010 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW X3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 X3	5,769	7.8%	36% fewer fails	28,533
2020 X3	17,687	8.8%	32% fewer fails	31,614
2019 X3	50,176	9.5%	33% fewer fails	35,531
2018 X3	30,828	10.5%	33% fewer fails	40,060
2017 X3	30,180	14.1%	25% fewer fails	51,381
2016 X3	33,010	17.8%	19% fewer fails	60,306
2015 X3	25,792	20.2%	21% fewer fails	71,888
2014 X3	22,007	24.1%	18% fewer fails	81,720
2013 X3	26,437	25.3%	22% fewer fails	89,128
2012 X3	24,997	27.6%	22% fewer fails	97,213
2011 X3	15,008	24.5%	36% fewer fails	104,311
2010 X3	3,369	24.2%	40% fewer fails	107,326
2009 X3	5,431	28.3%	33% fewer fails	112,970
2008 X3	6,159	30.4%	30% fewer fails	117,102
2007 X3	9,399	35.2%	22% fewer fails	125,401
2006 X3	12,919	35.7%	22% fewer fails	131,773
2005 X3	10,912	38.6%	16% fewer fails	137,080
2004 X3	9,340	36.2%	21% fewer fails	120,146

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW X3

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 12% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics7.1%30% below avg
Tyres5.5%15% below avg
Suspension4.7%40% below avg
Brakes3.6%42% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.5%20% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%52% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.1%12% above avg
Body, chassis and structure0.8%74% below avg
Steering0.4%74% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.13% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.64% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.51% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.37% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.19% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.19% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Side repeater not working 1.18% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.16% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW X3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.82%
Brake pads wearing thin6.43%
Slight play in steering rack joints4.69%
Brake disc pitted or scored3.64%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.94%
Engine oil leak, not excessive2.8%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW X3

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical BMW X3 covers about 9,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel85.1%
Petrol12.5%
Hybrid2.4%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, White, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 2.2 litres.

Compare

How the BMW X3 compares with its rivals

BMW X3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi Q5	15.3%	38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW X3	19.9%	25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC60	19.5%	22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota RAV4	25.3%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Discovery Sport	16.5%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai Tucson	17.5%	3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan X-Trail	29.3%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW X3 questions, answered

Is the BMW X3 reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW X3 is better than average: it fails 19.9% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 17 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW X3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW X3 are coil spring fractured or broken (2.13% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.64% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.51% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.1% of its tests.

Which BMW X3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW X3 do a year?

A typical BMW X3 covers about 9,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW X3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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