Is the Bmw M3 reliable?

The Bmw M3 has an average MOT pass rate of 91% across 27 years, based on 39,015 tests in 2026. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 1991 with a 100% pass rate.

Which year Bmw M3 is best?

The 1991 Bmw M3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 76%. There's a 24 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw M3

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 27 years from 39,015 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

91%

Total Tests

39,015

Best Year

1991 (100%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw M3

The Bmw M3 has been tested 39,015 times in 2026 MOT data across 27 model years (1990 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 91%. That's comfortably above the national average of 82%, making it a reliable choice. Available as petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 1991 model is the most reliable with a 100% pass rate from 51 tests. The 1993 model has the lowest at 76%. With a 24 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW M3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

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)

£1,592

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Bmw M3?

vs national average+9% (82% avg)

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

Best to worst year spread24 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