BMW Common MOT Faults

MOT pass rates, common failure categories, and reliability ratings for all 27 BMW models, based on DVSA statistics.

83.4%

Avg Pass Rate

+1.4%

vs National Avg

Models

Good

Reliability

BMW vs National Average

The national average MOT pass rate in the UK is approximately 82%. BMW vehicles perform roughly in line with the national average, with some models exceeding it and others falling slightly below.

BMW Average83.4%

National Average82%

Most Common BMW MOT Failures

The top MOT failure categories across all BMW models, ranked by average failure percentage.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

13.6%

Suspension

12.5%

Brakes

10.8%

Tyres

9.5%

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

6.4%

All BMW Models

Click any model for a detailed fault breakdown, repair cost estimates, and buying advice.

BMW i7

91.5%

2023–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW i5

91.2%

2023–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW iX

91.0%

2021–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW i4

90.8%

2021–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW iX3

90.5%

2020–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW i3

88.5%

2013–2022 · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X2

85.2%

2018–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X7

84.5%

2019–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW XM

84.5%

2023–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 8 Series

83.8%

2018–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 2 Series

83.5%

2014–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW M2

83.2%

2016–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X4

83.0%

2014–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 4 Series

82.8%

2013–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X1

82.5%

2009–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW M4

82.0%

2014–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X3

81.8%

2003–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW Z4

80.8%

2003–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW M3

80.5%

2007–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 1 Series

80.2%

2004–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 6 Series

79.8%

2004–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW M5

79.8%

2005–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 3 Series

79.5%

1998–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X6

79.2%

2008–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW X5

78.5%

2000–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 5 Series

77.8%

1997–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW 7 Series

76.5%

2002–present · Top fault: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

5 fault categories

BMW MOT Faults — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BMW reliability and MOT performance.

What are the most common MOT faults on a BMW?

The most common MOT faults across all BMW models are: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (13.6%), Suspension (12.5%), Brakes (10.8%). These categories account for the majority of MOT failures on BMW vehicles. Specific fault rates vary by model — check individual model pages for detailed breakdowns.

What is the average MOT pass rate for BMW?

The average MOT pass rate across all BMW models is 83.4%, which is 1.4 percentage points above the national average of 82%. The best-performing model is the i7 at 91.5%, while the 7 Series has the lowest pass rate at 76.5%.

Which BMW model is the most reliable?

Based on MOT pass rate data, the most reliable BMW is the i7 with a pass rate of 91.5%. This is rated "Excellent" for reliability. However, reliability depends on many factors including age, mileage, and maintenance history — always check a specific vehicle's MOT history before purchasing.

How much does it cost to fix common BMW MOT faults?

Repair costs for common BMW MOT faults vary by category. Lighting faults typically cost £20-£80, suspension issues range from £150-£500, brake repairs are usually £100-£400, tyre replacements run £50-£150 per tyre, and exhaust/emissions work can cost £80-£350. These are typical UK garage prices — costs may vary depending on the specific model and your location.

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