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BMW M3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2001-present5 named generationsSaloonPETROL

We've only got 1,139 MOT tests for BMW M3 models built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

BMW M3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW M3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW M3 by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on BMW M3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 10% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW M3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW M3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Windscreen

If you have time

Inspect for chips and cracks in the wiper sweep area (Zone A) — these will fail an MOT.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your M3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M3 G80/G81

G80/G81 (2021-present)

Excellent
PETROL

4.7% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 3.1% and 7.1%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 446 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M3 F80

F80 (2014-2018)

Excellent
PETROL

9.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,139 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M3 E90/E92/E93

E90/E92/E93 (2007-2013)

Excellent
PETROL

12.6% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Likely between 9.1% and 17.1%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 263 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M3 E46

E46 (2001-2006)

Excellent
PETROL

15.1% fail rate, built around 2003 (22 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.7%)

From 1,882 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW M3.

See every build year for the BMW M3

Side-by-side

BMW M3 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G80/G81 (2021-present)
Excellent
Excellent4.7%likely between 3.1% and 7.1%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 446 MOT tests at this age
F80 (2014-2018)
Excellent
Excellent9.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,139 MOT tests at this age
E90/E92/E93 (2007-2013)
Excellent
Excellent12.6%likely between 9.1% and 17.1%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 263 MOT tests at this age
E46 (2001-2006)
Excellent
Excellent15.1%built around 2003 (22 years old)from 1,882 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the M3, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW M3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW M3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8957.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4474.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
33510.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,1399.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
90010.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
7749.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4138.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
3427.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
51411.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
7239.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
7119.8%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
75510.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
90211.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
98113.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
27112.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
78612.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,18513.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,80814.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,88215.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
86317.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
13715.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,36216.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW M3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW M3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    8.3%
    Advisory: 148Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.9%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 54 (39% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.5%
    Advisory: 58Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    3.4%
    Advisory: 16Fail: 32 (67% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    3.3%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,139 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW M3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW M3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres27%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Suspension + Tyres19%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 114 MOT tests on BMW M3 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the BMW M3.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

66 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the BMW 3 Series, the model this one is based on.

41 of the 66 BMW M3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 Critical
  • 31 more

Top concerns

  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is
  • Plug in contact cable may malfunction

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    3.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.4%, against 3.2% for the BMW M3.

    1,615 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mercedes-Benz S-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    3.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    74.5%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 on these figures.

    2,348 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Porsche Panamera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    5.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    86.2%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 on these figures.

    1,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz CLS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.5%
    Dangerous
    6.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.3%

    No clear edge over the BMW M3 on these figures.

    1,155 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW M3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,139 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW M3 ever sold: 18,125 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,139 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.