BMW 650
From 2,755 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 650s fare better: 2017 models pass at 86.4% vs 78.5% for 2006.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 92 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 | 92 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 74 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 60 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 44 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 43 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 42 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 36 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 29 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 23 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 23 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 54.5% of 650 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 7.7% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £107.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 86.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2016 | 79.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users |
| 2015 | 92.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, any fracture or welding defect on a wheel |
| 2011 | 77.6% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a tyre seriously damaged |
4 earlier years
| 2008 | 79.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2007 | 82.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2006 | 78.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2005 | 78.1% | 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, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
Typical mileage
Half of all 650s tested had between 61,054 and 116,943 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 86,429 median miles, the 650 has 0.022 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 650 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 650 has a 80.9% MOT pass rate based on 2,755 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 650?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 650 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 92 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 650 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 650 is 86,429 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 61,054 and 116,943 miles.
Buying a used 650?
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 80.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £107 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.