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Bmw X3 - 2012

159.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2012 is 249.2 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw X3, model year 2012. Sample size: 7,711 cars, 18,093 tests and 28,892 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 7,711 cars

The 2012 BMW X3 has an overall defect rate of 160 defects per 100 vehicles, significantly lower than the average of 246 defects per 100 vehicles for the same year, indicating a 35% improvement. While defects are more common at higher mileage intervals, the X3 performs particularly well in categories such as brakes, steering, and body structure, with defects in these areas being much lower than average. Notably, the model shows a remarkable 85% reduction in body/structure defects, highlighting its strength in that category. Overall, the X3 stands out for its reliability compared to other vehicles of the same age.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 7,711 cars

More model years for Bmw X3

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
▲ 43.8% better
58.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 103.8 / 100 tests
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Warning device shows system malfunction
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 32.6% better
8.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.2 / 100 tests
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 22.9% better
14.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 19.2 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 28.4% better
44.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.9 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 26.8% better
179.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 244.4 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 85.9% better
3.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.2 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
Equipment
▲ 54.8% better
2.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 6.2 / 100 tests
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • A seat belt:
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 67.4% better
7.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.6 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 402 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: 6,705
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,343
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,943
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,488
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,198
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,073
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 951
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 934
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 771
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 708

Serious faults (Top 10)

A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,073
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 579
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 440
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 382
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 289
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 242
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 227
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 225
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 225
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 218