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Bmw M3 - 2021

36.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2021 is 80.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw M3, model year 2021. Sample size: 4,739 cars, 12,943 tests and 4,703 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 4,739 cars

The BMW M3 from 2021 shows a significantly lower overall defect rate, with 36 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 79 defects per 100 for the same year, representing a 54% improvement. Notably, it excels in categories such as brakes, visibility, and lights, where it performs much better than average, showing defect rates far below typical figures. However, the model does have some shortcomings in steering and other unspecified issues, where it shows slightly higher rates than average. Overall, the M3 demonstrates strong reliability, particularly in critical areas that enhance safety and performance.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 4,739 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

Bmw 114 Bmw 116 Bmw 118 Bmw 120 Bmw 123 Bmw 125 Bmw 216 Bmw 218 Bmw 220 Bmw 316 Bmw 318 Bmw 320 Bmw 330 Bmw 335 Bmw 418 Bmw 420 Bmw 428 Bmw 430 Bmw 435 Bmw 440 Bmw 518 Bmw 520 Bmw 523 Bmw 525 Bmw 528 Bmw 530 Bmw 535 Bmw 630 Bmw 640 Bmw 645 Bmw 650 Bmw 728 Bmw 730 Bmw 740 Bmw 840 Bmw ALPINA Bmw I3 Bmw I4 Bmw IX3 Bmw M2 Bmw M3 Bmw M340D Bmw M4 Bmw M5 Bmw M6 Bmw X1 Bmw X2 Bmw X3 Bmw X4 Bmw X5 Bmw X6 Bmw X7 Bmw Z3 Bmw Z4

Categories

Brakes
▲ 86.3% better
5.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 40.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
  • Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▼ 28.6% worse
0.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 0.7 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering linkage component: fractured or deformed
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering wheel rim or spokes: fractured or loose
Visibility
▲ 62.8% better
5.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.5 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen or window excessively tinted: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 63.4% better
4.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • 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
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A direction indicator: lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 40.3% better
52.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 87.3 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 90.5% better
0.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.1 / 100 tests
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
  • A transmission shaft flexible coupling: excessively deteriorated
Equipment
▲ 80.0% better
0.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • A seat belt load limiter fitted as original equipment obviously missing or a folded webbing type load limiter deployed
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▼ 48.1% worse
4.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.7 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 268 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: 1,866
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 460
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 241
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 240
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 208
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 204
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 185
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
PRS
Occurrences: 174
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 143
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 129

Serious faults (Top 10)

A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 460
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 241
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 129
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 37
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 35
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 20