BMW F Series
MotorcycleFrom 4,369 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 shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, caused 70 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 shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 70 |
| brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 32 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 25 |
| steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play | 24 |
| a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 21 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 19 |
| audible warning not working | 18 |
| a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn | 18 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 14 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 14 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 18% of F Series 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 £57.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 92.1% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm |
| 2012 | 88.2% | excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution, audible warning not working |
| 2011 | 91.5% | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps |
| 2010 | 90.4% | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
10 earlier years
| 2009 | 89.5% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2008 | 89.5% | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2007 | 84% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution |
| 2006 | 88.9% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play |
| 2005 | 88.8% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely |
| 2004 | 81.4% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn |
| 2003 | 86.3% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn |
| 2002 | 78.8% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released |
| 2001 | 87.2% | a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play |
| 2000 | 87.5% | audible warning not working, brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
Typical mileage
Half of all F Seriess tested had between 17,943 and 38,412 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 26,513 median miles, the F Series has 0.046 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 F Series MOT pass rate?
The BMW F Series has a 87.7% MOT pass rate based on 4,369 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW F Series?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW F Series is a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, which caused 70 failures. Other common issues include brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW F Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW F Series is 26,513 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 17,943 and 38,412 miles.
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.