BMW M3 Competition Auto (2021)

555 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.5% first-time pass rate

2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto

CarHunch analysed 555 real MOT records for the 2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2021 BMW M3 Competition is more reliable than average, with an 86.5% first-time pass rate that comfortably beats the UK average of 80%, and a low 4.7% rate of dangerous defects means serious mechanical issues are genuinely uncommon in this cohort. These cars are running at sensible mileage for their age—a median of 23,567 miles—which is encouraging given the M3's performance credentials, and the 0.11 average failures per vehicle suggests owners are maintaining them well. The 0.6 advisories per car (mostly minor wear items) and the petrol variant's consistent 86.2% pass rate point to a robust, well-engineered platform that responds positively to regular servicing. When you're evaluating one, prioritise a full service history and check the suspension components carefully, as high-performance cars demand precision maintenance to stay in this good condition.

Generally reliable 6.5% above UK average
86.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
23,567
typical mileage
17,680–30,903 middle half
4.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.11
avg MOT failures per car
over 2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW M3 Competition Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (95%) 526 86.2% 0.11
Other (5%) 29 93.1% 0.1

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

17,680
low mileage
23,567
typical
30,903
high mileage

Half of all 2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto vehicles fall between 17,680 and 30,903 miles.

2021 BMW M3 Competition Auto — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 476 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

25 476 2023 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.11
Avg failures per vehicle
0.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW M3 Competition Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — BMW M3 Competition Auto:

2022