BMW 120
From 77,488 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 120s fare better: 2021 models pass at 93.7% vs 71.3% for 2004.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 2,076 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2,076 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 2,042 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 1,839 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,565 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 1,281 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 1,159 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 1,022 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 881 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 849 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 822 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.1% of 120 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 45.3% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £114.
The warranty question
A new 120 passes its MOT 92.6% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 86.4%, a 6.2 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. At 10 years it's down to 77.7%. With an average repair bill of £114 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a 120 that's past its third birthday.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93.7% | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2020 | 92.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2019 | 90.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 86.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
14 earlier years
| 2017 | 86.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 86.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 84.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2014 | 82% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2013 | 77.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2012 | 76.5% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2011 | 76.3% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2010 | 75% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 75.9% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2008 | 73.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2007 | 72% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2006 | 69.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched |
| 2005 | 70.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2004 | 71.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched |
Typical mileage
Half of all 120s tested had between 62,662 and 106,372 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,479 median miles, the 120 has 0.025 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 120 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 120 has a 78.3% MOT pass rate based on 77,488 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 120?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 120 is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 2,076 failures. Other common issues include a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 120 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 120 is 87,479 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 62,662 and 106,372 miles.
Buying a used 120?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 78.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £114 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.