BMW iX3 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 4 model years and 14,157 tests, the BMW iX3 passes its MOT 88.8% of the time. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (7.8% fail rate), the iX3 comes out 3.4pp worse. Its most common failure areas are tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.4% of tests against 2.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 253 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every iX3 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,423 | 89.8% | 10.2% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 7,374 | 87.8% | 12.2% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 358 | 89.4% | 10.6% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.4% | 1,184 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 350 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 264 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.4% | 54 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 34 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 22 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 22 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 253 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 247 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 168 |
| 4 | Washers | 142 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 131 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 50 |
| 7 | Shock absorbers | 28 |
| 8 | Ball joint | 20 |
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 | 23.9% | 3,380 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.1% | 1,003 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 479 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 240 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 73 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 63 |
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 | 6,655 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 6,495 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 917 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,397 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 10,738 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a BMW iX3
- Tyres (8.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW iX3?
88.8% of the 14,157 BMW iX3 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 11.2% fail rate, across model years 2021–2024.
What does the BMW iX3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 8.4% of tests, then visibility (2.5%).
How much does mileage affect iX3 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 9.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 18.8% for 90-120k, a 9.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,157 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.