What year BMW X3 is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 2021 BMW X3 has the highest pass rate at 93.6%, out of 1,884 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW X3 MOT failures?

The most common BMW X3 MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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BMW X3 — Reliability by Year

112,664 vehicles · MOT data 2004–2021 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW X3 was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

2021

93.6% pass rate · 1,884 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

2004

77.8% pass rate · 6,514 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
2021	93.6%	27,015 mi	1,884
2020	92.2%	32,319 mi	5,227
2019	92.1%	35,190 mi	15,026
2018	91.5%	38,500 mi	8,318
2017	89.5%	46,383 mi	8,224
2016	87.3%	51,138 mi	9,298
2015	86.2%	58,432 mi	7,380
2014	84.4%	64,955 mi	6,469
2013	83.8%	69,058 mi	7,748
2012	83.1%	73,502 mi	7,520
2011	84.1%	76,906 mi	4,780
2010	82.1%	77,434 mi	1,135
2009	79.9%	78,382 mi	1,945
2008	79.2%	79,960 mi	2,759
2007	79.1%	84,055 mi	4,601
2006	78.8%	86,834 mi	7,059
2005	78.2%	88,646 mi	6,777
2004	77.8%	81,445 mi	6,514

Which year BMW X3 is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 27,015 miles (newest year) to 88,646 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a BMW X3.

See the buying guide →

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