BMW 125
From 8,583 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 125s fare better: 2018 models pass at 90.7% vs 80.8% for 2008.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 207 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 tyre seriously damaged | 207 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 134 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 130 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 89 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 82 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 63 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 59 |
| lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 47 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 44 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 35 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 49.6% of 125 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 14.6% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £108.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 90.7% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2017 | 93.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 89.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 84.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
7 earlier years
| 2014 | 84.3% | 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 |
| 2013 | 82.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2012 | 85.4% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2011 | 85.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2010 | 84.1% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2009 | 76.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2008 | 80.8% | 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all 125s tested had between 49,030 and 89,263 miles on the clock.
At 65,317 median miles, the 125 has 0.023 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 125 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 125 has a 84.8% MOT pass rate based on 8,583 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 125?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 125 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 207 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 125 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 125 is 65,317 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 49,030 and 89,263 miles.
Buying a used 125?
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 84.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £108 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.