BMW 840
From 1,817 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 suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, caused 81 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 81 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 54 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 43 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 33 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 30 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 29 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 26 |
| 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 | 21 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 21 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 18 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 21.1% of 840 failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £88.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 86.4% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1998 | 85.3% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 1997 | 82.4% | a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1996 | 82.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
2 earlier years
| 1995 | 76.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1994 | 76.9% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
Typical mileage
Half of all 840s tested had between 89,728 and 129,221 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 114,876 median miles, the 840 has 0.015 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 840 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 840 has a 82.8% MOT pass rate based on 1,817 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 840?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 840 is a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, which caused 81 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 840 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 840 is 114,876 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 89,728 and 129,221 miles.
Buying a used 840?
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 82.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £88 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.