BMW 130
From 1,285 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
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, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements 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 35 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 | 35 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 22 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 20 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 19 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 18 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 18 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 17 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 16 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 14 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 13 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 25.5% of 130 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 26% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £115.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 83.6% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2007 | 83.3% | 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 |
| 2006 | 79.8% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2005 | 76.6% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 130s tested had between 98,779 and 138,204 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 127,059 median miles, the 130 has 0.015 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 130 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 130 has a 81% MOT pass rate based on 1,285 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 130?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 130 is a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, which caused 35 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 130 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 130 is 127,059 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 98,779 and 138,204 miles.
Buying a used 130?
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 81% pass rate and an average repair bill of £115 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 25.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.