BMW X3 (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 5,413 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,413/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

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

94% of MOT tests on BMW X3s from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 5,413 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 24,798 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1054th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among BMW models239th of 1,548(top 16%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

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

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

24,798

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW X3 had 24,798 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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

£2,413/year

92%

-2%

Mercedes GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

-1%

BMW X5

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

-2%

Audi Q5

2020 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,413/year

95%

+1%

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About the 2021 BMW X3

The 2021 BMW X3 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 5,413 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 24,798 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW X3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

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 £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 BMW X3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 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 pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW X3(2021)	94%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413
BMW 5 Series(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Mercedes GLC(2019)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
BMW X5(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Audi Q5(2020)	95%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 BMW X3

Is the 2021 BMW X3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 BMW X3s ended in a pass, from 5,413 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 BMW X3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

94% of 5,413 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW X3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1054th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

Which year BMW X3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW X3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2005 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW X3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 BMW X3 is 24,798 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.