2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E M Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,927 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E M Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.8% 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 | 6.0% | 235 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 89 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 69 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 29 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 10 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 68 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 52 |
| 4 | Washers | 34 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 29 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 24 |
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 | 20.9% | 820 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.1% | 239 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 181 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 140 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 8 |
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 | 1,458 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,813 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 528 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 117 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81 | 4.9% |
| 2024 | 1,954 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 1,892 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X3 Xdrive30E M Auto
Before buying a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E M Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (2.3% 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 (1.8% 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 X3 Xdrive30E M Autos pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 3,927 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E M Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Bmw X3 Xdrive30E M Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2021 X3 Xdrive30E M Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,927 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.