BMW 123 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 123. Check any 123 by registration number below.

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77.1%

Avg Pass Rate

-12.8%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

BMW 123 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 123 has an average MOT pass rate of 77.1%, which is 12.8 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 123 on the road.

The most common reasons a BMW 123 fails its MOT are a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn. If you are preparing your 123 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 123, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 123 performs at MOT across different model years.

2013

Based on 114 vehicles

73.7%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

25.3%

Mileage at 10yr

128k mi

2012

Based on 403 vehicles

76.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.3%

Retest Rate

23.0%

Mileage at 10yr

146k mi

2011

Based on 1,306 vehicles

78.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.3%

Retest Rate

20.9%

2010

Based on 1,572 vehicles

78.1%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.2%

Retest Rate

21.0%

2009

Based on 2,365 vehicles

77.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

22.6%

2008

Based on 3,429 vehicles

76.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.0%

Retest Rate

20.8%

2007

Based on 550 vehicles

76.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

18.1%

0

Based on 4,455 vehicles

78.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

117k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 123

The most common reasons a BMW 123 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage

4.1%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

2.8%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

2.5%

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

2.0%

Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

1.8%

BMW 123 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

6.1%

Rear Nearside

4.4%

Front Offside

2.6%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 123

BMW 123 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 123 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 123?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 123 is 77.1% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 123?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 123 are: A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (4.1%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (2.8%), A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (2.5%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 123 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 77.1%, the BMW 123 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 123?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 123?

Typical mileage for the BMW 123: 128,229 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 123 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 123's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.