2018 BMW X3 — MOT failures & pass rate
44,791 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW X3 are in this dataset, and 91.5% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 10.2%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) and visibility (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 830 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 14.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.0-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.7% of the time against 8.7% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 2,275 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 965 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 762 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 393 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 310 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 143 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 830 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 666 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 562 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 289 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 280 |
| 6 | Washers | 278 |
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 | 19.0% | 8,497 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.0% | 3,119 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 2,936 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 1,443 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 525 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 284 |
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 | 15,692 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 21,509 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 6,237 | 10.1% |
| 90-120k | 946 | 12.5% |
| 120-150k | 133 | 15.8% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,050 | 8.7% |
| Petrol | 9,741 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,213 | 7.7% |
| 2022 | 8,957 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 8,955 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 8,780 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 8,886 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2018 X3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% 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 2018 BMW X3s pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 44,791 2018 BMW X3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW X3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2018 X3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,791 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.