BMW X3 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the BMW X3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 97,434 UK MOT tests of the BMW X3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2011–2013 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault) (5×); anti-lock braking system (warning lamp indicates an ABS fault) (4.3×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.1×). The most common reasons a BMW X3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); side repeaters (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the BMW X3
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the BMW X3 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side repeaters: not working | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.6% | 0.3% | 15× | 453 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 5.5% | 1.1% | 5× | 473 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | MOT fail | 2007–2009 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 5.2% | 1.2% | 4.3× | 849 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.3% | 1.7% | 3.1× | 1,122 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.1% | 1.2% | 2.6× | 2,806 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.9% | 2% | 3× | 541 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.8% | 1.6% | 2.4× | 1,671 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 4.1% | 1.9% | 2.2× | 2,283 |
BMW X3 by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 5,682 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (6.1%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 17,336 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3%, 1.8×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6,895 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 1,455 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
BMW X3 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,643 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.1×) |
| 2005 | 3,112 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.4×) |
| 2006 | 3,712 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (1.6×) |
| 2007 | 2,672 | Nothing stands out |
| 2008 | 1,717 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.3×) |
| 2009 | 1,476 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5×) |
| 2010 | 959 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (1.5×) |
| 2011 | 4,183 | Side repeaters: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.8×) |
| 2012 | 6,961 | Side repeaters: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2013 | 7,249 | Side repeaters: not working at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (11×) |
| 2014 | 6,174 | Side repeaters: not working at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (10×) |
| 2015 | 7,077 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.1×) |
| 2016 | 9,091 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.2×) |
| 2017 | 8,093 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3×) |
| 2018 | 8,038 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (1.6×) |
| 2019 | 15,900 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.8×) |
| 2020 | 7,795 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.7×) |
| 2021 | 573 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.6×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the BMW X3?
In 97,434 UK MOT tests of the BMW X3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2011–2013 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: srs malfunction indicator lamp (warning lamp indicates a fault) (5×); anti-lock braking system (warning lamp indicates an ABS fault) (4.3×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.1×). The most common reasons a BMW X3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); side repeaters (not working).
Why do BMW X3s fail the MOT?
Across 97,434 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the BMW X3 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.2% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.7% of tests); side repeaters (not working) (4.3% of tests).
At what mileage do BMW X3 problems start?
The clearest BMW X3-specific issue, side repeaters (not working), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2011–2013 cars (4.6% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this BMW X3 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 97,434 tests of the BMW X3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.