2021 BMW M3 Competition — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,005 MOT tests, the 2021 BMW M3 Competition recorded a 94.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 8.6% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.3%) and other defects (0.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, tread depth and headlamp aim — registration plates alone was recorded 15 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 33 |
| 2 | Other defects | 0.9% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 7 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 15 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 5 |
| 5 | Washers | 3 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 3 |
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 | 11.5% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 25 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.2% | 22 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.7% | 7 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 3 |
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 | 695 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 293 | 6.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 475 | 4.4% |
| 2025 | 503 | 5.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 M3 Competition
On a 2021 M3 Competition, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Other defects (0.9% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Lighting & signalling (0.7% 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
How many 2021 BMW M3 Competitions pass their MOT?
94.9% of the 1,005 2021 BMW M3 Competition MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 BMW M3 Competition?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by other defects (0.9%).
Does the 2021 M3 Competition get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 6.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,005 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.