2009 BMW M3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 88.3% of BMW M3s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW M3s first used in 2009 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
88.3%
of 674 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,089
first tests, 2023–2025; 674 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
62.8%
of 674 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
79,500
middle half: 61,500–96,500 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 BMW M3 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, M3s first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the M3 figure was 30.0 points higher.

2009 M3All cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 M3, test year 2021: 85.6%2009 M3, test year 2022: 86.9%2009 M3, test year 2023: 87.5%2009 M3, test year 2024: 88.3%2009 M3, test year 2025: 88.3%88.3%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 M3All cars first used 2009M3 first tests
202185.6%60.5%758
202286.9%60.1%716
202387.5%59.0%730
202488.3%58.4%685
202588.3%58.3%674

Common 2009 BMW M3 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 M3s, as a share of all 2,089 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.7%202
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.8%101
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.4%72
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.3%69

Questions about the 2009 BMW M3 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 BMW M3?

In 2025, 88.3% of M3s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 2009 BMW M3 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 11.7% of first tests on M3s first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 10.8% failed, and a further 0.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 250 of 2,089 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 BMW M3 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 9.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.8%), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (3.4%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (3.3%).

Is a 2009 BMW M3 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.6% in 2021 to 88.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 BMW M3 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2009 M3” means a BMW M3 whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2009, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.