BMW 425
From 459 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 tyre cords visible or damaged, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a tyre cords visible or damaged, caused 8 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 cords visible or damaged | 8 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 7 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 6 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 5 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 4 |
| a direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | 4 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 4 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 3 |
| a tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. this includes any lifting of the tread rubber | 3 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 36.2% of failures are serious: 27.7% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 8.5% 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 £83.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 83.3% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2014 | 93.7% | 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all 425s tested had between 60,020 and 111,086 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 83,378 median miles, the 425 has 0.016 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 425 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 425 has a 86.7% MOT pass rate based on 459 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 425?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 425 is a tyre cords visible or damaged, which caused 8 failures. Other common issues include a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 425 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 425 is 83,378 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 60,020 and 111,086 miles.
Buying a used 425?
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.