2017 BMW M3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 89.5% of BMW M3s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 2,908 M3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW M3s first used in 2017 (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
89.5%
of 933 first tests; all cars first used in 2017: 78.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,908
first tests, 2023–2025; 933 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
72.7%
of 933 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
47,000
middle half: 36,000–59,000 miles; all cars first used in 2017: 60,000

How the 2017 BMW M3 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, M3s first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the M3 figure was 11.3 points higher.

2017 M3All cars first used in 2017
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2017, test year 2021: 85.9%All cars first used in 2017, test year 2022: 83.9%All cars first used in 2017, test year 2023: 81.7%All cars first used in 2017, test year 2024: 79.8%All cars first used in 2017, test year 2025: 78.2%2017 M3, test year 2021: 89.6%2017 M3, test year 2022: 87.9%2017 M3, test year 2023: 86.8%2017 M3, test year 2024: 89.1%2017 M3, test year 2025: 89.5%89.5%78.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2017 M3All cars first used 2017M3 first tests
202189.6%85.9%1,076
202287.9%83.9%1,031
202386.8%81.7%1,015
202489.1%79.8%960
202589.5%78.2%933

Common 2017 BMW M3 MOT failures

Share of the 337 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Tyres47.8%
Suspension25.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment12.5%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed26.1%88
Coil spring: fractured or broken18.1%61

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an M3 in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2017 BMW M3 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2017 BMW M3 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 M3s, as a share of all 2,908 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.3%211
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.5%103
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.5%73
Nail in tyre2.1%61

Questions about the 2017 BMW M3 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 BMW M3?

In 2025, 89.5% of M3s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2017 M3 most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 47.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (25.8%) and lamps and electrical equipment (12.5%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (26.1%).

How often does a 2017 BMW M3 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 10.5% of first tests on M3s first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 9.3% failed, and a further 1.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 337 of 2,908 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2017 BMW M3 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 7.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (2.5%) and “Nail in tyre” (2.1%).

Is a 2017 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 89.6% in 2021 to 89.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2017

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

2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics

How the 2017 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. “2017 M3” means a BMW M3 whose date of first use falls in 2017 (66, 17 and 67 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 2017, 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. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. 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.