BMW 216
From 6,172 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 216s fare better: 2018 models pass at 85% vs 80.7% for 2015.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 170 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 suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 170 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 116 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 113 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 111 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 108 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 84 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 57 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 51 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 47 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 46 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15% of 216 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 44.2% 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 £109.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2017 | 83.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2016 | 81.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2015 | 80.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
Typical mileage
Half of all 216s tested had between 51,186 and 81,732 miles on the clock.
At 69,753 median miles, the 216 has 0.026 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 216 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 216 has a 82.2% MOT pass rate based on 6,172 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 216?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 216 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 170 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 216 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 216 is 69,753 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 51,186 and 81,732 miles.
Buying a used 216?
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 82.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £109 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.