BMW 2 Series reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The BMW 2 Series is a family hatchback. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 120 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 148 of 442, and 16.1% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is condition (2.0% of tests).
Ranked 148 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 7 of 30 family hatchbacks
In 2024, 121,714 BMW 2 Serieses aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 16.1% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the BMW 2 Series is 17% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At the first MOT, at three years old, 11.8% failed (UK 12.7%).
First-time fail rate
16.1%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
11.8%
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
8,300
Typical age at test: 6 years
BMW 2 Series MOT failure rate by age
Most common BMW 2 Series MOT faults
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7% of tests
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.3% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.9% of tests
What the BMW 2 Series fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.9% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 4.6% | ▼ 12% less often |
| Brakes | 2.1% | ▼ 44% less often |
| Suspension | 2.1% | ▼ 43% less often |
| Visibility | 1.9% | ▼ 46% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.1% | ▼ 28% less often |
| Wheels | 0.7% | ▲ 2.7× as often |
| Body and structure | 0.3% | ▼ 70% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.2% | ▼ 44% less often |
| Steering | 0.1% | ▼ 87% less often |
What MPG does the BMW 2 Series do?
Official economy for the BMW 2 Series ranges from 32.1 to 74.3mpg across the 269 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2014–2025). A typical petrol version manages 46.3mpg and a typical diesel 65.7mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a BMW 2 Series?
Any BMW 2 Series first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A BMW 2 Series registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £410 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carBMW 2 Series specs and running costs
Official figures for 269 versions sold in the UK between 2014 and 2025.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid
Official economy
32.1–74.3 mpg
CO2
20–199 g/km
Power
170–374 PS
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax | Company car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Series Active Tourer 220i Sport Active Tourer170 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 47.8 mpg | 129g | £200 | 31% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 220i Luxury Active Tourer170 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 47 mpg | 129g | £200 | 31% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 220i M Sport Active Tourer170 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 47.8 mpg | 131g | £200 | 32% |
| 2 Series Gran Coupé 220 M Sport Gran Coupé170 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 51.3 mpg | 120g | £200 | 30% |
| 2 Series Coupé 220i M Sport Coupé184 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 42.1 mpg | 146g | £200 | 35% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 223i Sport Active Tourer218 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 46.3 mpg | 133g | £200 | 32% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 223i Luxury Active Tourer218 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 45.5 mpg | 135g | £200 | 33% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 223i M Sport Active Tourer218 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 46.3 mpg | 135g | £200 | 33% |
| 2 Series Gran Coupé 223 xDrive M Sport Gran Coupé218 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 46.3 mpg | 133g | £200 | 32% |
| 2 Series Coupé 230i M Sport Coupé245 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 39.7 mpg | 151g | £200 | 36% |
| 2 Series Gran Coupé M235 xDrive Gran Coupé300 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 34.4 mpg | 170g | £200 | 37% |
| 2 Series Coupé M240i xDrive Coupé374 PS · A8 · listed 2025 | Petrol | 32.1 mpg | 185g | £200 | 37% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 225e Sport Active Tourer245 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 282.5 mpg | 20g | £200 | 10% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 225e Luxury Active Tourer245 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 282.5 mpg | 20g | £200 | 10% |
| 2 Series Active Tourer 225e xDrive M Sport Active Tourer245 PS · A7 · listed 2025 | Plug-in hybrid | 282.5 mpg | 21g | £200 | 10% |
Economy and CO2 are official WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Company car tax is the 2026/27 benefit-in-kind rate. Showing the 15 most recent of 269 versions.
What a BMW 2 Series costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 46.3mpg…
- diesel, typical official 65.7mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a BMW 2 SeriesBuying a used BMW 2 Series?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the BMW 2 Series with other family hatchbacks
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other BMW models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW 2 Series reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the BMW 2 Series is 17% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 120 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the BMW 2 Series?
The most common MOT fault is “Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords”, found in 2.0% of tests.
›What MPG does the BMW 2 Series do?
Official economy for the BMW 2 Series ranges from 32.1 to 74.3mpg across the 269 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2014–2025). A typical petrol version manages 46.3mpg and a typical diesel 65.7mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a BMW 2 Series?
Any BMW 2 Series first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A BMW 2 Series registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £410 a year.
›How many BMW 2 Serieses fail their MOT?
16.1% of BMW 2 Serieses aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024, and 11.8% failed at their first MOT.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the BMW 2 Series combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.