2022 BMW X3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,385 MOT tests, the 2022 BMW X3 recorded a 92.4% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 7.6%, so the 2022 X3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.4% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 83 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.4% versus 6.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 7.7% of the time against 7.8% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 454 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 121 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 99 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 36 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 27 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 83 |
| 2 | Wipers | 80 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 66 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 57 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 42 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 33 |
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 | 15.9% | 1,335 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.2% | 438 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 244 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 78 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 34 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 30 |
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 | 5,146 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,929 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 273 | 10.3% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 11.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 4,286 | 7.8% |
| Diesel | 3,705 | 7.7% |
| Petrol | 389 | 4.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 408 | 3.9% |
| 2025 | 7,969 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2022 X3
On a 2022 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% 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 2022 BMW X3s pass their MOT?
92.4% of the 8,385 2022 BMW X3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 BMW X3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2022 X3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 11.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,385 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.