The picture
340i: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 989 MOT tests, the 340i returns 91.8% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. A torn steering gaiter and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 42,445, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A tyre seriously damaged
25 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 02
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
20 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
18 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 04
A tyre seriously damaged
17 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
15 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 06
A tyre cords visible or damaged
7 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade defective
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
2 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£140–£335
If every one of this 340i's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a 340i?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 340i and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.