BMW M235I
From 432 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 emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, a tyre cords visible or damaged and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, caused 10 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.
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 10 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 7 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 6 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 5 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 5 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 3 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 3 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 2 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 2 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 37.8% of failures are serious: 33.3% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 4.4% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £102.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 88% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2015 | 87.5% | emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2014 | 94.1% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all M235Is tested had between 60,668 and 83,021 miles on the clock.
At 76,899 median miles, the M235I has 0.013 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 M235I MOT pass rate?
The BMW M235I has a 89.8% MOT pass rate based on 432 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW M235I?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW M235I is emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, which caused 10 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW M235I at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW M235I is 76,899 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 60,668 and 83,021 miles.
Buying a used M235I?
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.
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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.