BMW 430
From 28,528 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 430s fare better: 2020 models pass at 91.3% vs 87.8% for 2014.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 834 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 | 834 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 563 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 407 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 171 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 154 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 137 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 122 |
| any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | 101 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 99 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 89 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 63.1% of 430 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 6.4% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £92.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 91.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2019 | 90.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2018 | 88.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2017 | 89.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
3 earlier years
| 2016 | 88.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2015 | 88.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 87.8% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all 430s tested had between 45,240 and 85,264 miles on the clock.
At 65,391 median miles, the 430 has 0.017 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 430 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 430 has a 88.6% MOT pass rate based on 28,528 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 430?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 430 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 834 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 430 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 430 is 65,391 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 45,240 and 85,264 miles.
Buying a used 430?
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.