2017 BMW M3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,430 MOT tests, the 2017 BMW M3 recorded a 90.7% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 11.5% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests against 2.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plates and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 93 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 M3 fails 7.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.2% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 11.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 286 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 122 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 84 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 53 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.9% | 51 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.8% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 93 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 81 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 53 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 34 |
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% | 622 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.3% | 287 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 220 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 106 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 86 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.3% | 72 |
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 | 2,050 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,861 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 481 | 9.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,157 | 8.0% |
| 2022 | 1,128 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 1,115 | 10.7% |
| 2024 | 1,034 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 996 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 M3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
- Suspension (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% 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 2017 BMW M3s pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 5,430 2017 BMW M3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW M3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by suspension (2.3%).
Does the 2017 M3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 9.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,430 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.