2010 BMW 3 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 171,763 MOT tests, the 2010 BMW 3 Series recorded a 78.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (20.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.5%) and suspension (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, position lamp and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 10,824 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.5% in the 0-30k band and 23.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.6-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.7% fail against 21.7% for diesel, a 2.0-point gap across 171,761 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 16,324 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 14,330 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 11,998 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 11,365 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 6,017 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 4,894 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 10,824 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 7,435 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 7,379 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6,496 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 4,729 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 4,673 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.1% | 46,600 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.8% | 44,311 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.6% | 37,109 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.1% | 15,661 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 11,969 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 10,265 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,138 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 11,083 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 32,830 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 48,246 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 42,825 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 35,595 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 122,849 | 21.7% |
| Petrol | 48,912 | 19.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 38,909 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 37,336 | 20.8% |
| 2023 | 35,248 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 31,841 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 28,429 | 21.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 3 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 BMW 3 Seriess pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 171,763 2010 BMW 3 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 BMW 3 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2010 3 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 171,763 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.