2012 BMW M3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 87.8% of BMW M3s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW M3s first used in 2012 (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
87.8%
of 583 first tests; all cars first used in 2012: 63.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,760
first tests, 2023–2025; 583 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
67.4%
of 583 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
60,500
middle half: 45,000–75,500 miles; all cars first used in 2012: 92,000

How the 2012 BMW M3 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, M3s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the M3 figure was 24.3 points higher.

2012 M3All cars first used in 2012
60%70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2012, test year 2021: 68.8%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2022: 67.4%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2023: 65.6%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2024: 64.3%All cars first used in 2012, test year 2025: 63.5%2012 M3, test year 2021: 87.8%2012 M3, test year 2022: 89.8%2012 M3, test year 2023: 89.8%2012 M3, test year 2024: 86.3%2012 M3, test year 2025: 87.8%87.8%63.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2012 M3All cars first used 2012M3 first tests
202187.8%68.8%637
202289.8%67.4%617
202389.8%65.6%606
202486.3%64.3%571
202587.8%63.5%583

Common 2012 BMW M3 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 M3s, as a share of all 1,760 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.1%143
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.3%75
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.0%52

Questions about the 2012 BMW M3 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 BMW M3?

In 2025, 87.8% of M3s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 2012 BMW M3 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 12.2% of first tests on M3s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 11.0% failed, and a further 1.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 211 of 1,760 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2012 BMW M3 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 8.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.3%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (3.0%).

Is a 2012 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 87.8% in 2021 to 87.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2012

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

2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2012 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. “2012 M3” means a BMW M3 whose date of first use falls in 2012 (61, 12 and 62 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 2012, 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.