BMW 216D Se
From 249 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 7 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 | 7 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 3 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 2 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 2 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 1 |
| brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator | 1 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1 |
| reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 1 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 1 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.4% of failures are serious: 42.9% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 9.5% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £72.
Typical mileage
Half of all 216D Ses tested had between 34,084 and 76,518 miles on the clock.
At 51,214 median miles, the 216D Se has 0.024 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 216D Se MOT pass rate?
The BMW 216D Se has a 87.6% MOT pass rate based on 249 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 216D Se?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 216D Se is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 7 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 216D Se at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 216D Se is 51,214 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 34,084 and 76,518 miles.
Buying a used 216D Se?
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.