2020 BMW X3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 BMW X3 passed 91.4% of its 25,329 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.8%, so the 2020 X3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.4% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and malfunction indicator lamp — wipers alone was recorded 456 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 X3 fails 7.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.8 points.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (9.4% vs 7.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.3% of tests failed in 2022 against 8.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,366 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 509 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 288 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 286 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.7% | 165 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 71 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 456 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 284 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 277 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 237 |
| 5 | Washers | 151 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 119 |
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 | 18.5% | 4,689 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.6% | 1,428 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 1,144 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 725 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 183 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 68 |
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 | 11,337 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 12,080 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,710 | 10.3% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 10.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,400 | 9.0% |
| Petrol | 6,664 | 7.3% |
| Hybrid | 2,265 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 346 | 4.3% |
| 2023 | 8,452 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 8,285 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 8,219 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 X3
On a 2020 X3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
- Visibility (2.0% 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 (1.1% 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 2020 BMW X3s pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 25,329 2020 BMW X3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 BMW X3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the 2020 X3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 10.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,329 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.