2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 809 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 89.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.8% in the 60-90k group versus 5.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.4% | 68 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 23 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 2 | Wipers | 14 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 9 |
| 5 | Washers | 5 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 2 |
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 | 23.4% | 189 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.7% | 62 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.7% | 30 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 2 |
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 | 285 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 372 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 398 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 400 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto
Before buying a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 8.4% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (8.4% 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 (2.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.1% 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 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Autos pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 809 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.8%).
Does the 2021 X3 Xdrive30E Xline Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 809 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.