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BMW X3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present4 named generationspremium family SUVSUVPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / DIESEL / UNKNOWN
At a glance

BMW X3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW X3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW X3 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on BMW X3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW X3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW X3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

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 X3's generation

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

X3 G45

G45 (2024-present)

DIESELPETROLUNKNOWNHYBRID ELECTRIC
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
X3 G01

G01 (2017-2023)

Excellent
DIESELPETROLUNKNOWNHYBRID ELECTRIC

12.4% 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 8,463 MOT tests at this ageView details →
X3 F25

F25 (2010-2016)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESEL

17.5% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 10,211 MOT tests at this ageView details →
X3 E83

E83 (2004-2009)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

28.1% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 2,867 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 X3.

See every build year for the BMW X3

Side-by-side

BMW X3 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
G01 (2017-2023)
Excellent
Excellent12.4%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 8,463 MOT tests at this age
F25 (2010-2016)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings17.5%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 10,211 MOT tests at this age
E83 (2004-2009)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings28.1%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 2,867 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the X3, 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 X3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW X3 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
5,1458.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,1089.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,48810.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
14,65310.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,46312.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
10,29416.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
10,21117.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,54718.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
8,40221.9%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
8,99522.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
7,19422.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,92821.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,11823.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,53825.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,05325.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,76726.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,86728.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,77328.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
73227.1%

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 19 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW X3 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

6th of 16

6th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

19th of 89

19th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

12.4%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

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

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW X3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW X3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of 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

    17.7%
    Advisory: 2,381Fail: 143 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.6%
    Advisory: 643Fail: 51 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.8%
    Advisory: 613Fail: 158 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    4.3%
    Advisory: 489Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    4.2%
    Advisory: 231Fail: 222 (49% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,463 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW X3 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 X3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Other + Tyres19%
  3. Suspension + Tyres16%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers15%

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

Across 1,437 MOT tests on BMW X3 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

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

57 recalls in all

47 of the 57 BMW X3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 Critical
  • 37 more

Top concerns

  • Replace the driver’s airbag – Takata PSDI-5
  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the BMW X3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 12.4% for the BMW X3, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 12.4% for the BMW X3, both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi Q2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.3%, against 2.5% for the BMW X3.

    15,997 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW X3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,463 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 X3 ever sold: 125,531 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,463 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.