2017 BMW X3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.4% of BMW X3s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 24,329 X3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW X3s 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
How the 2017 BMW X3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, X3s 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 X3 figure was 4.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 X3 | All cars first used 2017 | X3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.5% | 85.9% | 8,485 |
| 2022 | 87.7% | 83.9% | 8,188 |
| 2023 | 85.1% | 81.7% | 8,116 |
| 2024 | 83.1% | 79.8% | 8,147 |
| 2025 | 82.4% | 78.2% | 8,066 |
Common 2017 BMW X3 MOT failures
Share of the 4,002 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 13.4% | 537 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.6% | 505 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 12.1% | 486 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.3% | 452 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 10.3% | 412 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an X3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil 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 X3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2017 BMW X3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 X3s, as a share of all 24,329 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.4% | 3,987 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.9% | 2,410 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.1% | 1,009 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.5% | 856 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 2.5% | 600 |
Questions about the 2017 BMW X3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 BMW X3?
In 2025, 82.4% of X3s 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 X3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 36.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (23.3%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (19.0%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (13.4%).
How often does a 2017 BMW X3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.6% of first tests on X3s first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 14.5% failed, and a further 3.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,002 of 24,329 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 BMW X3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.1%), “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.5%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (2.5%).
Is a 2017 BMW X3 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 89.5% in 2021 to 82.4% 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
Checking a specific 2017 X3?
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