BMW 123
From 6,939 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older 123s fare better: 2012 models pass at 74.4% vs 76.4% for 2008.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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 and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, caused 291 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.
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 291 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 235 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 219 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 119 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 119 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 118 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 94 |
| lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 84 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 77 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 72 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 20.4% of 123 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 43.6% 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 £129.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 74.4% | 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 | 77.9% | 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 | 80.3% | 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 | 78.7% | 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 |
2 earlier years
| 2008 | 76.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2007 | 74.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 123s tested had between 98,091 and 142,684 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 120,356 median miles, the 123 has 0.019 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 123 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 123 has a 77.7% MOT pass rate based on 6,939 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 123?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 123 is a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, which caused 291 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 123 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 123 is 120,356 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 98,091 and 142,684 miles.
Buying a used 123?
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 77.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £129 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.