2021 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 914 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 42 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.9% | 17 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 14 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.3% | 12 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.5% | 5 |
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 | 18 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 4 | Wipers | 11 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 5 |
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 | 15.5% | 142 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.8% | 44 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.3% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 14 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 551 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 345 | 7.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 4.9% |
| 2024 | 443 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 430 | 6.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X3 M Competition Auto
Before buying a 2021 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.6% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (1.9% 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 (1.5% 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 X3 M Competition Autos pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 914 2021 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by visibility (1.9%).
Does the 2021 X3 M Competition Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 7.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 914 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.