In 2025, 20,188 BMW 330 cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 86% passed first time, compared with 81% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the 330 better than average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 62 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 4 years old, 86% of 330s passed first time (all cars that age: 87%). By 9 years, that figure is 86% (all cars: 75%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 6 to 9 years.
BMW 330 All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | 330 passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | 203 | 86% | 87% | 51,693 |
| 5 years | 4,901 | 87% | 86% | 58,713 |
| 6 years | 4,003 | 88% | 84% | 66,770 |
| 7 years | 3,196 | 84% | 81% | 77,211 |
| 8 years | 6,171 | 84% | 78% | 82,088 |
| 9 years | 1,270 | 86% | 75% | 88,336 |
What fails most on a BMW 330
The area that lets the 330 down most, relative to other cars, is plates and VIN: 0.5% of tests failed on it, 13.6 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on lights and electrics and suspension.
Share of 330 tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 3.7% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.0% |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | Tyres | 2.1% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 1.5% |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 1.2% |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.2% |
What to check when buying a used 330
Based on where the 330 fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Plates and VIN: Check the number plates are legal and the VIN matches the V5C logbook. More
- Road wheels: Look for damaged rims and missing wheel nuts. More
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific 330
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a 330Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 330?
In 2025, 86% of BMW 330 cars passed their MOT first time, across 20,188 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 81%.
What do BMW 330 cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a tyre seriously damaged (3.7% of tests); tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (3.0% of tests); a tyre cords visible or damaged (2.1% of tests).
Other BMW models
BMW 3 Series (73%), BMW 118 (79%), BMW X1 (82%), BMW 116 (72%), BMW X3 (79%), BMW 1 Series (78%). All BMW models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.