Is the 2021 BMW X3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW X3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 5,413 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 BMW X3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW X3?

The 2021 BMW X3 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 5,413 tests in 2026. This ranks 1080 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year BMW X3 is most reliable?

The 2021 BMW X3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 76%.

BMW X3 (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW X3?

The average mileage for a 2021 BMW X3 is 24,798 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,413 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol2998cc5 years old5,413 tests25k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 5 years old, 94% of BMW X3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,413 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 24,798 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1080th of 3,373(top 32%)

Rank among BMW models241th of 1,564(top 15%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+2%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

24,798

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW X3 has 24,798 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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BMW X3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	94%	5,413	24,798 mi
2020	92%	13,187	33,638 mi
2019	92%	32,937	42,303 mi
2018	92%	17,186	49,536 mi
2017	89%	16,666	61,118 mi
2016	88%	18,166	70,153 mi
2015	87%	14,189	82,377 mi
2014	85%	12,226	91,766 mi
2013	84%	15,082	98,171 mi
2012	83%	14,378	104,808 mi
2011	84%	8,272	111,744 mi
2010	84%	1,786	113,992 mi
2009	83%	2,902	117,342 mi
2008	81%	3,247	120,389 mi
2007	78%	4,940	130,152 mi
2006	78%	6,611	135,824 mi
2005	76%	5,434	140,749 mi
2004	78%	4,438	123,849 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 5 SERIES

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

-2%

MERCEDES GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

-1%

BMW X5

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

-2%

AUDI Q5

2020 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

95%

+1%

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About the 2021 BMW X3

The 2021 BMW X3 is a premium performance with a 2998cc petrol engine. 5,413 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 24,798 miles at 5 years old, BMW X3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 BMW X3 Fuel Costs

The 2998cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 BMW X3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW X3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW X3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 BMW X3

At 5 years old, the BMW X3 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 5,413 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 BMW X3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 BMW X3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW X3(2021)	94%	£1592	£195	Grp 30-42	£2042
BMW 5 SERIES(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
MERCEDES GLC(2019)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X5(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
AUDI Q5(2020)	95%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.