BMW 325i — MOT pass rate & failures
1,701 MOT tests on the BMW 325i (1985–2021) give an 81.3% pass rate. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than the 17.4% fail rate across all BMW 3 Series versions, so the 325i is a weaker pick within the range. Failures concentrate in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 100 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.9% versus 6.2%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 33 | 81.8% | 18.2% |
| 1987 | 53 | 83.0% | 17.0% |
| 1988 | 64 | 81.3% | 18.8% |
| 1989 | 92 | 82.6% | 17.4% |
| 1990 | 38 | 86.8% | 13.2% |
| 1991 | 33 | 81.8% | 18.2% |
| 2001 | 109 | 77.1% | 22.9% |
| 2002 | 67 | 85.1% | 14.9% |
| 2003 | 79 | 74.7% | 25.3% |
| 2004 | 49 | 75.5% | 24.5% |
| 2005 | 120 | 80.0% | 20.0% |
| 2006 | 126 | 79.4% | 20.6% |
| 2007 | 237 | 78.5% | 21.5% |
| 2008 | 83 | 81.9% | 18.1% |
| 2009 | 207 | 79.7% | 20.3% |
| 2010 | 90 | 85.6% | 14.4% |
| 2011 | 70 | 88.6% | 11.4% |
| 2012 | 38 | 92.1% | 7.9% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 144 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 111 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 100 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 91 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 67 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 61 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 38 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 100 |
| 2 | Washers | 60 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 55 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 55 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 44 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 39 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.2% | 412 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.5% | 331 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.2% | 292 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 207 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 122 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.2% | 122 |
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 | 65 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 341 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 534 | 18.4% |
| 90-120k | 389 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 217 | 19.8% |
| 150k+ | 147 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 224 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 315 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 354 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 384 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 424 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a BMW 325i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.5% 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 (5.9% 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 reliable is the BMW 325i at MOT time?
81.3% of the 1,701 BMW 325i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate, worse than the 17.4% average across all 3 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 325i?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (6.5%).
Does the 325i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,701 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.