BMW 635
From 4,148 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 635s fare better: 2010 models pass at 84.1% vs 81.6% for 2008.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 149 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 | 149 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 75 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 69 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 64 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 56 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 47 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 47 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 46 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 38 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 36 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 48.6% of 635 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 7.5% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £121.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 84.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play |
| 2009 | 85.7% | a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2008 | 81.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2007 | 85.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
3 earlier years
| 1989 | 86.7% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1988 | 82.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1986 | 88% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, braking effort inadequate at a wheel |
Typical mileage
Half of all 635s tested had between 91,132 and 152,470 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 113,345 median miles, the 635 has 0.014 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 635 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 635 has a 84.1% MOT pass rate based on 4,148 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 635?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 635 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 149 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 635 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 635 is 113,345 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 91,132 and 152,470 miles.
Buying a used 635?
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 84.1% pass rate and an average repair bill of £121 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.