2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,869 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, emissions & environmental and visibility. Its pass rate of 90.5% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 678 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 206 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 182 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 164 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 36 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 206 |
| 2 | Wipers | 171 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 101 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 77 |
| 6 | Washers | 38 |
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% | 1,986 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.9% | 641 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 337 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 179 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 117 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 19 |
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 | 4,943 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 5,367 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 515 | 9.5% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 281 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 5,333 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 5,252 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto
Before buying a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- 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.
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 X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Autos pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 10,869 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (1.9%).
Does the 2021 X3 Xdrive20D M Mhev Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,869 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.