2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,047 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 48 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.8% | 19 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 17 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.0% | 10 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 10 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 3 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Wipers | 19 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 17 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 8 |
| 6 | Washers | 7 |
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 | 13.9% | 146 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.3% | 55 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 546 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 457 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 41 | 7.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 343 | 5.5% |
| 2024 | 339 | 7.4% |
| 2025 | 352 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 X3 M Competition Auto
Before buying a 2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.6% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (1.8% 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 2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Autos pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 1,047 2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Bmw X3 M Competition Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by visibility (1.8%).
Does the 2020 X3 M Competition Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 7.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,047 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.