BMW 135
From 2,200 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 135s fare better: 2013 models pass at 90.6% vs 83.4% 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, emissions levels exceed default limits and a tyre cords visible or damaged. The top issue, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, caused 30 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 | 30 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 27 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 26 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 26 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 26 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 14 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 11 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 11 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 11 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 20.5% of 135 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 33% 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 £126.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 90.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2012 | 83.5% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2011 | 88.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2010 | 87.1% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
2 earlier years
| 2009 | 88.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2008 | 83.4% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits |
Typical mileage
Half of all 135s tested had between 69,191 and 106,789 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,169 median miles, the 135 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 135 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 135 has a 87% MOT pass rate based on 2,200 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 135?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 135 is a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, which caused 30 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 135 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 135 is 87,169 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 69,191 and 106,789 miles.
Buying a used 135?
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.
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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.