Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

BMW models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which BMW models have the fewest MOT fails?

29,752 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the BMW M3 first: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage; ranks 1 to 2 overlap, so it is level with the BMW M5. Next is the BMW M5: 55% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: Which BMW models fail their MOT most often?

15,420 MOT tests at 3 to 6 years put the BMW 8 Series last of the 22 in this list: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.20).

Q: How many BMW models are compared?

22 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 6,177,148 MOT tests in all; 14 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 6,177,148 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

BMW M3 ranks first among BMW models (95% rank range 1–2, level with the BMW M5): 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (29,752 MOT tests) ^[1].

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22 models ranked, 14 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 6,177,148 MOT tests ^[1]
BMW M5 is next: 55% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (5,663 MOT tests)
BMW 8 Series is last of the 22: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.20) (15,420 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

Fewest MOT fails: BMW M3, 56% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage (statistically close to #2)
#2 for fewest MOT fails: BMW M5, 55% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
#3 for fewest MOT fails: BMW 7 Series, 47% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
#4 for fewest MOT fails: BMW i8, 43% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

BMW models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 22 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 20 of 22. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
11–2	BMW M3sports car	56% fewer fails (54–57% fewer)	12.1%all cars: 27.5%	11.2%	29,752at 3 to 15 years	BMW M3 common problems
21–2	BMW M5executive car	55% fewer fails (52–58% fewer)	12.6%all cars: 28.2%	12.2%	5,663at 8 to 11 years	BMW M5 common problems
33–4	BMW 7 Seriesexecutive car	47% fewer fails (46–48% fewer)	12.5%all cars: 23.4%	13.5%	54,999at 3 to 15 years	BMW 7 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 7 Series common problems
43–4	BMW i8sports car	43% fewer fails (39–47% fewer)	12.1%all cars: 21.3%	10.3%	5,627at 6 to 9 years	BMW i8 common problems
55–8	BMW X6large SUV	36% fewer fails (34–37% fewer)	15.7%all cars: 24.3%	16.9%	59,058at 3 to 15 years	BMW X6 MOT fail rate · BMW X6 common problems
65–8	BMW 6 Series (first used from 2004)sports car	35% fewer fails (34–36% fewer)	17.0%all cars: 26.1%	17.8%	67,176at 3 to 15 years	BMW 6 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 6 Series common problems
75–8	BMW X5large SUV	34% fewer fails (34–35% fewer)	15.6%all cars: 23.7%	16.9%	281,621at 3 to 15 years	BMW X5 MOT fail rate · BMW X5 common problems
85–9	BMW Z4sports car	34% fewer fails (33–35% fewer)	19.5%all cars: 29.5%	17.3%	79,920at 3 to 15 years	BMW Z4 MOT fail rate · BMW Z4 common problems
98–9	BMW 5 Seriesexecutive car	33% fewer fails (32.8–33.5% fewer)	16.9%all cars: 25.3%	18.6%	696,197at 3 to 15 years	BMW 5 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 5 Series common problems
1010–12	BMW M2sports car	close to averageratio 0.72 (0.69–0.76)	12.3%all cars: 17.0%	11.2%	13,722at 4 to 8 years	BMW M2 common problems
1110–12	BMW 4 Seriesexecutive car	25% fewer fails (24–25% fewer)	14.9%all cars: 19.7%	15.6%	415,587at 3 to 12 years	BMW 4 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 4 Series common problems
1210–15	BMW M4sports car	24% fewer fails (22–26% fewer)	13.7%all cars: 18.0%	12.6%	47,365at 3 to 10 years	BMW M4 MOT fail rate · BMW M4 common problems
1312–14	BMW X1family SUV	24% fewer fails (23–24% fewer)	16.6%all cars: 21.7%	17.1%	411,961at 3 to 15 years	BMW X1 MOT fail rate · BMW X1 common problems
1412–14	BMW 3 Seriesexecutive car	23% fewer fails (23.0–23.5% fewer)	20.6%all cars: 26.8%	22.1%	1,504,890at 3 to 15 years	BMW 3 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 3 Series common problems
1514–17	BMW X3family SUV	22% fewer fails (21–22% fewer)	17.0%all cars: 21.7%	18.0%	355,946at 3 to 15 years	BMW X3 MOT fail rate · BMW X3 common problems
1615–17	BMW i3supermini	close to averageratio 0.80 (0.78–0.81)	13.2%all cars: 16.6%	12.4%	84,978at 3 to 11 years	BMW i3 MOT fail rate · BMW i3 common problems
1715–17	BMW X4family SUV	close to averageratio 0.80 (0.78–0.81)	13.7%all cars: 17.2%	14.7%	64,535at 3 to 10 years	BMW X4 MOT fail rate · BMW X4 common problems
18certain	BMW 1 Seriesfamily hatchback	close to averageratio 0.84 (0.83–0.84)	21.6%all cars: 25.8%	22.5%	1,432,565at 3 to 15 years	BMW 1 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 1 Series common problems
19certain	BMW 2 Seriesfamily hatchback	close to averageratio 0.86 (0.86–0.87)	15.4%all cars: 17.8%	15.3%	476,626at 3 to 11 years	BMW 2 Series MOT fail rate · BMW 2 Series common problems
2020–21	BMW X2family SUV	close to averageratio 1.10 (1.08–1.12)	14.8%all cars: 13.5%	14.9%	67,998at 3 to 7 years	BMW X2 MOT fail rate · BMW X2 common problems

Show all 22 models

Ranks 21 to 22, against cars the same age and mileage. 2 of them are about average (within 20% once sampling error is allowed for).

BMW X7, about average
BMW 8 Series (first used from 2018), about average

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The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 56% fewer MOT fails

BMW M3

Why it ranks here: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.43–0.46), from 29,752 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.1% (11.7%–12.5%), against 27.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 11.2%. Rank range 1–2.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

2 · 55% fewer MOT fails

BMW M5

Why it ranks here: 55% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.45, 95% CI 0.42–0.48), from 5,663 MOT tests at 8 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.6% (11.8%–13.5%), against 28.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 12.2%. Rank range 1–2.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

3 · 47% fewer MOT fails

BMW 7 Series

Why it ranks here: 47% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.52–0.54), from 54,999 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.5% (12.2%–12.7%), against 23.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 13.5%. Rank range 3–4.

Check before you buy: fails on road wheels 3.9–4.5× as often as cars the same age (761 fails in 56,039 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on number plates and VIN 1.6–2.0× as often as cars the same age (277 fails in 56,039 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were 71% diesel, 20% petrol.

4 · 43% fewer MOT fails

BMW i8

Why it ranks here: 43% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.53–0.61), from 5,627 MOT tests at 6 to 9 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.1% (11.2%–13.1%), against 21.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 10.3%. Rank range 3–4.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

5 · 36% fewer MOT fails

BMW X6

Why it ranks here: 36% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.63–0.66), from 59,058 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 15.7% (15.4%–16.0%), against 24.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 16.9%. Rank range 5–8.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.8–3.3× as often as cars the same age (515 fails in 60,064 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 2.0–2.4× as often as cars the same age (448 fails in 60,064 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

6 · 35% fewer MOT fails

BMW 6 Series (first used from 2004)

Why it ranks here: 35% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.64–0.66), from 67,176 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 17.0% (16.8%–17.3%), against 26.1% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.8%. Rank range 5–8.

Check before you buy: fails on road wheels 3.2–3.7× as often as cars the same age (844 fails in 68,242 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on number plates and VIN 1.9–2.3× as often as cars the same age (402 fails in 68,242 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on tyres 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (5,597 fails in 68,242 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were 64% diesel, 37% petrol; this row covers cars first used from 2004.

7 · 34% fewer MOT fails

BMW X5

Why it ranks here: 34% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.65–0.66), from 281,621 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 15.6% (15.5%–15.7%), against 23.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 16.9%. Rank range 5–8.

Check before you buy: fails on number plates and VIN 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (1,744 fails in 283,682 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on road wheels 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (2,033 fails in 283,682 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

8 · 34% fewer MOT fails

BMW Z4

Why it ranks here: 34% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.65–0.67), from 79,920 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 19.5% (19.2%–19.8%), against 29.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.3%. Rank range 5–9.

Check before you buy: fails on road wheels 4.8–5.3× as often as cars the same age (1,664 fails in 80,849 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

9 · 33% fewer MOT fails

BMW 5 Series

Why it ranks here: 33% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.67–0.67), from 696,197 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.9% (16.8%–17.0%), against 25.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 18.6%. Rank range 8–9.

Check before you buy: fails on road wheels 3.2–3.3× as often as cars the same age (7,998 fails in 702,866 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on number plates and VIN 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (2,533 fails in 702,866 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were 77% diesel, 13% petrol.

10 · About average

BMW M2

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.69–0.76), from 13,722 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 12.3% (11.7%–12.8%), against 17.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 11.2%. Rank range 10–12.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

How to choose BMW models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 56% fewer (BMW M3) to about average (BMW 8 Series).
14 of the 22 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often; the other 8 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 6 of the 10 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

6,177,148 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which BMW models have the fewest MOT fails?

29,752 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the BMW M3 first: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage; ranks 1 to 2 overlap, so it is level with the BMW M5. Next is the BMW M5: 55% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Which BMW models fail their MOT most often?

15,420 MOT tests at 3 to 6 years put the BMW 8 Series last of the 22 in this list: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.20).

How many BMW models are compared?

22 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 6,177,148 MOT tests in all; 14 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 6,177,148 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.