BMW M3

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 27 model years from 39,015 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

91%

Total Tests

39,015

Highest Pass Rate

2018 (96%)

Years Covered

About the BMW M3

The BMW M3 was MOT tested 39,015 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 27 model years (1990 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 91%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 96% from 2,770 tests. The 1994 model has the lowest at 84%. The 12 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW M3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 91,917 miles, while the newest (2018) averages 39,337 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the BMW M3?

vs average of all models+9% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average+3% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread12 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW M3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	96%	2,770	39,337 mi
2017	94%	3,761	44,109 mi
2016	95%	3,045	51,414 mi
2015	96%	2,366	58,218 mi
2014	93%	1,009	61,459 mi
2013	94%	920	52,129 mi
2012	93%	1,463	61,117 mi
2011	92%	1,593	69,269 mi
2010	92%	1,787	72,560 mi
2009	93%	1,844	81,000 mi
2008	91%	2,873	83,256 mi
2007	93%	1,081	92,362 mi
2006	89%	633	84,058 mi
2005	89%	1,752	91,815 mi
2004	89%	2,681	98,105 mi
2003	89%	3,515	100,457 mi
2002	88%	2,430	104,512 mi
2001	89%	552	112,063 mi
1999	87%	403	91,828 mi
1998	87%	575	99,827 mi
1997	90%	598	107,612 mi
1996	86%	526	109,107 mi
1995	88%	416	111,955 mi
1994	84%	220	119,067 mi
1993	76%	41	128,458 mi
1991	100%	51	95,928 mi
1990	95%	110	91,917 mi

Questions about the BMW M3

Is the BMW M3 reliable?

Across its 27 model years in our data (1990 to 2018), the BMW M3 averages a 91% MOT pass rate, from 39,015 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2018 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 96%.

Which year BMW M3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 BMW M3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 84%, a 12 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.