2016 BMW X3 2.0L Diesel · DP16 MBO

The most recent MOT on 2026-01-13 shows a failure for headlamp aim issues—both nearside and offside beams are incorrectly aligned, with the nearside image “obviously incorrect” and both too low. This is a safety-critical defect that must be rectified before the vehicle can be legally driven at night or in poor visibility. A recurring pattern is visible: in the 2025-01-03 MOT, the same offside headlamp failed (position lamp not working), and the offside front coil spring was fractured—another serious structural concern. That same test also flagged rear tyres worn close to the legal limit with edge wear, suggesting possible alignment or suspension issues. The 2024-01-04 and January 2026 tests show no other defects, but the headlamp and spring failures indicate possible underlying wear or damage in the front suspension or mounting points. The mileage trend—128,214 miles at 10 years old (12,821 miles/year)—is high but not extreme. It suggests regular use rather than long periods of inactivity, which could mean more wear on suspension, brakes, tyres, and drivetrain components. However, the gap between the 2025 and 2026 MOTs is only one month, and mileage rose by just under 11,000 miles in that year, so usage may have been lighter recently. The lack of defects in the 2024 and first 2026 test (before the retest failure) suggests the car was otherwise serviceable, but the repeated failures point to specific, unresolved issues rather than general neglect. The fractured coil spring and headlamp aim problems are not minor.