BMW 2 Series MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 83.3% of BMW 2 Series MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 126,957 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
88.1%
All cars: 86.1% (2 points better). 38,248 tests.
At 6–10 years
81.4%
All cars: 76.1% (5.3 points better). 86,832 tests.
At 11 years and over
73.9%
All cars: 61.3% (12.6 points better). 1,875 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9,853 | 89.7% | 87.8% | 28,750 miles |
| 4 | 13,075 | 88.1% | 86.4% | 33,750 miles |
| 5 | 15,320 | 87.1% | 84.5% | 38,750 miles |
| 6 | 19,821 | 84.4% | 81.9% | 46,250 miles |
| 7 | 18,021 | 83.5% | 79.3% | 53,750 miles |
| 8 | 19,689 | 81.0% | 76.3% | 63,750 miles |
| 9 | 19,662 | 79.0% | 73.1% | 71,250 miles |
| 10 | 9,639 | 76.8% | 70.0% | 76,250 miles |
| 11 | 1,875 | 73.9% | 66.9% | 86,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of BMW 2 Series MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 2 Series | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.2% | 8.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.5% | 16.6% |
| Suspension | 4.0% | 13.7% |
| Brakes | 3.0% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 5.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.4% | 4.0% |
| Road wheels | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 2.2% of tests
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 2.1% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 1.5% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 1.3% of tests · what this means
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 1.2% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure failed 1.1% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular 2 Series?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 2 Series version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 58.6%, diesel 37.0%, hybrid electric (clean) 4.3%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other BMW models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.