2009 BMW M3 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,877 MOT tests on the 2009 BMW M3 are in this dataset, and 90.1% of them passed. That is 11.9 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.6%) and tyres (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 65 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.9% versus 6.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 139 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.5% | 134 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 92 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 86 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 66 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.6% | 63 |
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 | 65 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 52 |
| 4 | Washers | 52 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 50 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 40 |
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 | 14.7% | 570 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 401 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 280 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 140 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 134 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 130 |
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 | 138 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 943 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,760 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 840 | 10.1% |
| 120-150k | 164 | 11.6% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 834 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 782 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 794 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | 738 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 729 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 M3
On a 2009 M3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Brakes (2.4% 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 2009 BMW M3s pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 3,877 2009 BMW M3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 BMW M3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by tyres (3.5%).
Does the 2009 M3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,877 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.