BMW reliability: MOT results 2024
Figures updated
Ranked 7 of 52 makes
1,750,427 BMW cars aged 3 to 20 had an MOT in 2024, and 21.2% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Allowing for age and mileage, a BMW is 26% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At their first MOT, 11.9% failed (UK 12.7%).
BMW models ranked
| Model | Score | Fail rate | First MOT | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 | 270 | 11.6% | – | 2,999 |
| BMW M3 | 252 | 12.9% | 5.8% | 11,798 |
| BMW 7 Series | 191 | 15.7% | 8.5% | 16,318 |
| BMW I8 | 166 | 11.0% | – | 2,176 |
| BMW X6 | 162 | 17.4% | 15.6% | 15,327 |
| BMW 6 Series | 158 | 20.6% | – | 22,062 |
| BMW 5 Series | 157 | 20.3% | 11.9% | 198,590 |
| BMW X5 | 151 | 20.5% | 14.5% | 86,138 |
| BMW M2 | 145 | 11.6% | – | 3,716 |
| BMW Z4 | 144 | 22.8% | 9.7% | 34,006 |
| BMW M4 | 139 | 12.9% | 9.8% | 12,083 |
| BMW 4 Series | 138 | 16.4% | 13.1% | 103,945 |
| BMW X1 | 136 | 17.5% | 9.8% | 103,615 |
| BMW X4 | 135 | 15.2% | 10.5% | 16,857 |
| BMW 3 Series | 134 | 24.5% | 14.0% | 453,392 |
| BMW X3 | 130 | 20.5% | 11.0% | 100,997 |
| BMW I3 | 128 | 13.0% | 11.5% | 22,563 |
| BMW 1 Series | 122 | 24.2% | 9.8% | 392,613 |
| BMW 2 Series | 120 | 16.1% | 11.8% | 121,714 |
| BMW X2 | 101 | 14.9% | 13.6% | 17,867 |
| BMW 8 Series | 96 | 14.1% | 13.9% | 4,482 |
BMW MOT failure rate by age
What BMW cars fail on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.3% | About average |
| Lights and electrics | 6.7% | ▼ 39% less often |
| Suspension | 4.8% | ▼ 46% less often |
| Brakes | 4.2% | ▼ 39% less often |
| Visibility | 3.1% | ▼ 32% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | ▼ 43% less often |
| Body and structure | 0.9% | ▼ 72% less often |
| Wheels | 0.9% | ▲ 2.2× as often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7% | ▼ 28% less often |
| Steering | 0.5% | ▼ 75% less often |
Most common BMW MOT faults
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8% of tests
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7% of tests
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.6% of tests
- Position lamp: not working1.5% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3% of tests
Compare BMW cars with their rivals
- Ford Focus vs BMW 1 Series
- Volkswagen Golf vs BMW 1 Series
- Vauxhall Astra vs BMW 1 Series
- Audi A3 vs BMW 1 Series
- BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- BMW 1 Series vs Honda Civic
- BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4
- BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- BMW 1 Series vs Skoda Octavia
- BMW 3 Series vs BMW 5 Series
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs BMW 5 Series
- Audi A4 vs BMW 5 Series
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5 Series
- BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon
- BMW 3 Series vs Audi A5
Frequently asked questions
›Are BMW cars reliable?
By MOT results, BMW ranks 7 of 52 makes in 2024, with a reliability score of 135 (100 is average for the same age and mileage). 21.2% of BMW cars failed their MOT first time.
›What is the most reliable BMW?
The BMW M5, with a score of 270. The lowest-scoring is the 8 Series (96).
›What do BMW cars fail their MOT on?
Tyres: 7.3% of BMW MOTs failed on it, 1.1 times the rate for similar cars. The single most common fault was “Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we calculate the league.