BMW 8 Series
From 4,975 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 tyre seriously damaged and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre cords visible or damaged, caused 140 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 | 140 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 107 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 27 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 19 |
| any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | 18 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 14 |
| 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 | 14 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 12 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 10 |
| a transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated | 10 |
BMW 8 Series on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 297 newly registered in the past year with 156 leaving, a net gain of 141. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 6,519 | 1,136 | +103 | -46 | +57 |
| 2025 Q2 | 6,460 | 1,138 | +45 | -0 | +76 |
| 2025 Q1 | 6,321 | 1,201 | +73 | -46 | +27 |
| 2024 Q4 | 6,310 | 1,185 | +76 | -64 | +12 |
| 2024 Q3 | 6,364 | 1,119 | +68 | -49 | +19 |
| 2024 Q2 | 6,341 | 1,123 | +89 | -0 | +90 |
| 2024 Q1 | 6,233 | 1,141 | +137 | -47 | +90 |
| 2023 Q4 | 6,119 | 1,165 | +145 | -20 | +125 |
6 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 840I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 3,407 | 53% |
| 840I Auto | Petrol | 1,492 | 23% |
| 840D Xdrive Auto | Diesel | 916 | 14% |
| 840D Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 212 | 3% |
| 840 Ci Auto | Petrol | 207 | 3% |
| 840 Ci Sport Auto | Petrol | 163 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, 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 |
| 2020 | 91.3% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2019 | 92.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2018 | 93% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, number plate does not conform to the specified requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 8 Seriess tested had between 24,031 and 38,077 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 27,731 median miles, the 8 Series has 0.028 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 8 Series MOT pass rate?
The BMW 8 Series has a 92.1% MOT pass rate based on 4,975 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 8 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 8 Series is a tyre cords visible or damaged, which caused 140 failures. Other common issues include a tyre seriously damaged.
How many BMW 8 Seriess are on UK roads?
There are 6,519 BMW 8 Seriess currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,136 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 8 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 8 Series is 27,731 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 24,031 and 38,077 miles.
Buying a used 8 Series?
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.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.