Common problems by part
BMW 2 Series road wheels problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 79,099 MOT tests · Updated
At 6 years, 0.7 in 100 MOT tests of the BMW 2 Series failed on road wheels, against 0.2 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 79,099 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails 2.5–3.0× as often as all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 524 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 3 years and at every older age seen
- Most common fail: Road wheel attachment: fixing missing, 0.4 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.7 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.2 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). The BMW 2 Series fails more often here.
Why it matters
A road wheels fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
BMW 2 Series road wheels fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 54,049 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| 4 | 64,335 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| 5 | 70,286 | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| 6 | 79,099 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| 7 | 78,101 | 0.8 | 0.3 |
| 8 | 62,053 | 0.9 | 0.3 |
| 9 | 43,661 | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| 10 | 22,003 | 1.0 | 0.4 |
| 11 | 5,268 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
All first-use years of the BMW 2 Series pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the road wheels at 6 years
Fails
- Road wheel attachment: fixing missing: 0.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.2. Replace missing wheel nut or bolt: estimated £10–£59 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£20) Road wheel fixing missing MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Road wheel condition: slightly distorted: 0.8 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Road wheel slightly distorted MOT advisory
Replace missing wheel nut or bolt cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a BMW 2 Series? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 1.5 petrol: 0.7 per 100 at 6 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 27,326 MOT tests)
- 2.0 diesel: 0.8 per 100 at 6 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 26,309 MOT tests)
- 2.0 petrol: 0.7 per 100 at 6 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 8,578 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Road wheel condition: slightly distorted.
Check one BMW 2 Series, not the average
The figures here describe BMW 2 Series cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a BMW 2 Series's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other BMW 2 Series problems
- BMW 2 Series suspension problems
- BMW 2 Series brakes problems
- BMW 2 Series lights and electrics problems
- BMW 2 Series steering problems
- BMW 2 Series exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- BMW 2 Series seat belts and airbags problems
- BMW 2 Series windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- BMW 2 Series tyres problems
Road wheels on rival models
- Audi A3 road wheels problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.7 for the BMW 2 Series (122,661 MOT tests)
- SEAT Leon road wheels problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.7 for the BMW 2 Series (74,889 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz CLA road wheels problems: 0.9 per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.7 for the BMW 2 Series (33,041 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the BMW 2 Series have more road wheels problems than other cars?
2.5 to 3.0 times the road wheels fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 6 years (all test years), from 79,099 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 1.2 in the same direction at 6 of the 9 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are BMW 2 Series road wheels problems?
0.7 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on road wheels, against 0.2 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 79,099 MOT tests).
What is the most common BMW 2 Series road wheels fail?
0.4 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years: Road wheel attachment: fixing missing (289 MOT tests with it).
At what age do BMW 2 Series road wheels fails start?
3 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 478,855 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 478,855 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare