Hybrid BMW 3 Series: MOT pass rate

85.2% of hybrid BMW 3 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,746 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 79,365.

Hybrid against the other BMW 3 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Hybrids sidestep most emissions failures and tend to do lighter urban miles, though the extra weight tells on tyres and brakes.

On the BMW 3 Series specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 85.2%, and this hybrid version sits 7.8 points above the 77.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The hybrid BMW 3 Series is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average hybrid BMW 3 Series had covered 79,365 miles at test, against 116,477 for the diesel and 97,568 for the petrol. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 3 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a hybrid BMW 3 Series

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 0.6% of tests (9.45x the national rate for this defect)
2. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.7% of tests (2.4x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.6% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.7% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.3% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.5% of tests
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.3% of tests
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.3% of tests
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.9% of tests
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 0.9% of tests

From 3,777 DVSA-tracked hybrid BMW 3 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 3 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 10.8% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a hybrid BMW 3 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 32.3% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 8.2% of tests, also fails
3. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.1% of tests
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.4% of tests, also fails
5. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.3% of tests, also fails
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.4% of tests
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 2.3% of tests
8. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 2% of tests
9. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.1% of tests
10. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1% of tests

From 3,777 DVSA-tracked hybrid BMW 3 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 3 Series fuel types

• Diesel BMW 3 Series - 77.6%
• Petrol BMW 3 Series - 76.8%

All BMW 3 Series MOT data · Every model