BMW 420 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 420. Check any 420 by registration number below.

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88.0%

Avg Pass Rate

-2.0%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 420 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 420 has an average MOT pass rate of 88.0%, which is 2.0 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 420 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 420 fails its MOT are a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. If you are preparing your 420 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 420, 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 420 performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 709 vehicles

94.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.0%

Retest Rate

6.1%

Mileage at 3yr

45k mi

2020

Based on 9,543 vehicles

91.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

9.5%

Mileage at 3yr

39k mi

Mileage at 5yr

57k mi

2019

Based on 22,867 vehicles

89.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

11.8%

Mileage at 3yr

42k mi

Mileage at 5yr

67k mi

2018

Based on 30,468 vehicles

89.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.3%

Retest Rate

11.4%

Mileage at 5yr

69k mi

2017

Based on 33,801 vehicles

88.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.2%

Retest Rate

13.4%

Mileage at 5yr

79k mi

2016

Based on 33,778 vehicles

87.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.2%

Retest Rate

12.9%

2015

Based on 30,942 vehicles

86.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.6%

Retest Rate

14.0%

Mileage at 10yr

143k mi

2014

Based on 23,870 vehicles

83.5%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.8%

Retest Rate

17.9%

Mileage at 10yr

142k mi

2013

Based on 1,653 vehicles

82.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

19.5%

Mileage at 10yr

155k mi

0

Based on 71,832 vehicles

87.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

59k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 420

The most common reasons a BMW 420 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

1.7%

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

1.6%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

1.4%

A tyre cords visible or damaged

1.3%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

1.0%

BMW 420 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

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

Front Nearside

2.0%

Rear Nearside

1.4%

Rear Offside

1.3%

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 420

BMW 420 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 420 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 420?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 420 is 88.0% 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 420?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 420 are: A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (1.7%), The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (1.6%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.4%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 420 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 88.0%, the BMW 420 is rated as "Excellent" 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 420?

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 420?

Typical mileage for the BMW 420: 44,743 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 420 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 420's MOT History

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