2006 BMW X3 · 12,919 MOT tests
2006 BMW X3 reliability
2006 BMW X3s fail 35.7% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 18 X3 years (12,919 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW X3s: 19.9%)
- 35.7%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW X3s: 19.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 131,773
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,919
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.8% of tests fail here (58% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 56% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 BMW X3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.1%
- Suspension12.3%
- Brakes11%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%
- Tyres6.2%
- Seat belts and airbags4.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.51%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.24%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.79%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.63%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.63%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.14%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.9%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.97%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.72%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.28%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (5.63%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.86%)
Other years
Every BMW X3 year
The full picture: BMW X3 reliability. Before you pay for any BMW X3, 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 2006 BMW X3 reliable?
2006 BMW X3s fail 35.7% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 18 X3 years (12,919 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 BMW X3 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.51% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.24% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (2.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 BMW X3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 BMW X3 shows 131,773 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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