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Bmw M3 - 2003

135.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw M3, model year 2003. Sample size: 2,404 cars, 4,740 tests and 6,416 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 2,404 cars

The 2003 BMW M3 has an overall defect rate of 135 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the average of 378 per 100, making it 64% better than similar cars from the same year. Notably, the M3 excels in several categories, particularly in brakes, steering, and body/structure, where its defect rates are much lower than the average. However, as mileage increases, defects tend to rise, with the highest rates observed in the 124,000+ miles category at 356 defects per 100. Overall, this model demonstrates a strong performance in safety-related aspects compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 2,404 cars

More model years for Bmw M3

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Bmw

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Categories

Brakes
▲ 47.3% better
89.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 81.3% better
4.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 57.0% better
12.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
Lights & Electrics
▲ 69.6% better
31.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Headlamp levelling device inoperative
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 67.5% better
98.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 85.4% better
9.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 70.6% better
4.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Audible warning:
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 59.6% better
21.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 538 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 841
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 751
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 370
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 353
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 350
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 285
Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 173
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 167
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 166
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 129

Serious faults (Top 10)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 70
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 58
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 49
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 47
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 47
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 46
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 43
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 42
Warning device shows system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 41
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 40