BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 39 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 10.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 39 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.7% and a failure rate of 10.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a presents for MOT with approximately 29,370 miles on the clock. The 2012 manufacture year performs best with a 89.7% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a is Registration Plates and VIN, affecting 5.1% of all tests. Registration Plates and VIN issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 2.6%. Brakes rounds out the top three at 2.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.1% | 2 |
| 2 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.6% | 1 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.6% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 29,370 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Plates and VIN | 1.75 | 5.1% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.87 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.87 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.87 | 2.6% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a has 29,370 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.51% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a MOT Data
The BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 39 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.7% and a failure rate of 10.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on registration plates and vin and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a is likely to perform.
Registration Plates and VIN — 5.1% of failures
Registration Plates and VIN issues account for 5.1% of MOT failures on the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a. Registration Plates and VIN issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 2.6% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 2.6% of failures
Brakes issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a?
Based on 39 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a has an overall pass rate of 89.7% (10.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a?
The top 3 reasons a BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a fails its MOT are: 1. Registration Plates and VIN (5.1%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (2.6%), 3. Brakes (2.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a reliable?
With a 10.3% MOT failure rate, the M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 S-a?
Based on failure data, focus on: Registration Plates and VIN (5.1%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (2.6%); Brakes (2.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.