2023 BMW iX3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 BMW iX3 passed 89.4% of its 358 recorded MOT tests. That is 5.0 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 5.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.3% of all tests — 6.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, washers and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 5 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 26 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 4 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 4 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 2 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 2 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 2 | Washers | 2 |
| 3 | Wipers | 2 |
| 4 | Size/type | 2 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2 |
| 6 | Attachment | 1 |
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 | 20.4% | 73 |
| 2 | Other defects | 9.5% | 34 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.2% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 5 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 202 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 139 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2023 iX3
On a 2023 iX3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% 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.
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 2023 BMW iX3s pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 358 2023 BMW iX3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 BMW iX3?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the 2023 iX3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 358 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.