BMW MOT Failure Rates
MOT failure rates for 26 BMW models, ranked from highest to lowest failure rate. The checked-in dataset contains 148,509,908 recorded DVSA MOT tests.
BMW Recorded MOT Overview
Across 26 included model groups, BMW has a sample-size-weighted historical MOT failure rate of 20.5% from 4,665,862 tests. That is below the dataset-wide reference of 26.9%. This describes the included groups and does not predict an individual vehicle's result.
The lowest recorded failure rate among the included BMW model groups belongs to the BMW M8 with a 3.8% failure rate. The highest failure rate belongs to the BMW 3 Series at 26.1%.
These figures are calculated from real DVSA MOT test records and represent weighted averages across all vehicle ages and mileage bands. Only model groups with 100 or more test records are included; the sample size is shown for context.
Which BMW Models Fail MOT Most?
| Model | Failure Rate | Total Tests |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series | 26.1% | 1,841,976 |
| BMW Z4 | 21.9% | 156,347 |
| BMW X5 | 20.2% | 438,062 |
| BMW X3 | 19.0% | 444,305 |
| BMW 1 Series | 18.7% | 366,703 |
| BMW 4 Series | 16.2% | 6,068 |
| BMW Alpina | 16.1% | 7,226 |
| BMW 5 Series | 15.5% | 324,022 |
| BMW X1 | 15.5% | 425,354 |
| BMW X6 | 15.2% | 78,192 |
| BMW 6 Series | 14.7% | 24,455 |
| BMW X2 | 14.2% | 64,698 |
| BMW M3 | 13.1% | 83,144 |
| BMW 7 Series | 12.8% | 16,316 |
| BMW X4 | 12.7% | 76,250 |
| BMW X7 | 12.4% | 5,965 |
| BMW M5 | 12.0% | 21,106 |
| BMW 2 Series | 11.4% | 95,397 |
| BMW 8 Series | 11.4% | 7,754 |
| BMW I3 | 11.4% | 85,751 |
| BMW M4 | 10.8% | 65,651 |
| BMW M6 | 10.5% | 7,126 |
| BMW M2 | 9.2% | 20,945 |
| BMW IX | 8.5% | 732 |
| BMW I4 | 5.8% | 521 |
| BMW M8 | 3.8% | 1,796 |
How we calculate failure rates: Rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands for each model group. Only groups with 100+ test records are shown. The checked-in data contains 148,509,908 tests and 39,969,903 failures.
BMW MOT FAQs
What is the recorded BMW MOT failure rate?
The sample-size-weighted rate across the 26 included BMW model groups is 20.5%, based on 4,665,862 tests. Individual group rates and sample sizes appear above. These historical group outcomes are not an assessment of a specific car.
Which included BMW model group has the lowest rate?
The BMW M8 has the lowest MOT failure rate at 3.8% among the groups shown. This is a historical population comparison, not a recommendation. See full BMW M8 MOT data.
Which BMW model fails MOT most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest failure rate at 26.1% among the groups shown. The rate does not describe the condition of a particular car. See full BMW 3 Series MOT data.
How can I assess a BMW before its MOT?
AutoSafe offers a free MOT-history and comparison report. Enter your registration number and postcode to see the recorded history, mileage source and closest available comparison group.
Check Your BMW
Enter your reg to see recorded MOT history and comparable-vehicle failure rates for your BMW.
Related Guides
- Top 10 MOT Failure Points
- Pre-MOT Checklist
- MOT Failure Rates by Car
- How to Check MOT History
- Will My Car Pass Its MOT?
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