2019 BMW X3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 69,901 MOT tests, the 2019 BMW X3 recorded a 91.9% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 9.4% of the time, so this is 1.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.9%) 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 1,235 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 X3 fails 6.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.6% of the time against 8.3% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.9% | 3,425 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1,460 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 922 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 565 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 547 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 183 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,235 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,230 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 701 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 505 |
| 5 | Washers | 412 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 379 |
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 | 18.9% | 13,235 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.7% | 4,672 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.4% | 4,476 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 2,127 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 741 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 313 |
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 | 28,389 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 33,823 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 6,633 | 10.2% |
| 90-120k | 778 | 10.2% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 10.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 49,040 | 8.3% |
| Petrol | 20,855 | 7.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,041 | 4.9% |
| 2022 | 17,546 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 17,264 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 17,045 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 17,005 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 X3
On a 2019 X3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.9% 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 (1.3% 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 2019 BMW X3s pass their MOT?
91.9% of the 69,901 2019 BMW X3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW X3?
Tyres, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2019 X3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 10.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 69,901 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.