2021 BMW X3 — MOT failures & pass rate
23,945 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW X3 are in this dataset, and 91.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests against 1.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 347 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 X3 fails 7.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.4 points.
The petrol cars hold up better: 7.4% fail against 9.2% for diesel, a 1.8-point gap across 18,060 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.2% of tests failed in 2023 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 | 5.9% | 1,410 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.7% | 396 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 391 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 241 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 78 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 347 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 279 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 244 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 236 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 164 |
| 6 | Washers | 99 |
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 | 18.3% | 4,371 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.8% | 1,397 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 707 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 421 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 387 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 60 |
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 | 11,352 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 10,876 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,485 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 201 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,854 | 9.2% |
| Hybrid | 5,878 | 9.2% |
| Petrol | 5,206 | 7.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 610 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 11,744 | 8.8% |
| 2025 | 11,561 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.9% 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 (1.7% 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 (1.6% 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 X3s pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 23,945 2021 BMW X3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 BMW X3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by visibility (1.7%).
Does the 2021 X3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,945 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.