BMW M2 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the BMW M2 took 3,783 MOT tests in Britain and passed 89% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 3,783
First-time pass rate: 89%
All cars: 71%

What the M2 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Tyres4.3% (all cars 6.4%)
Suspension3.1% (all cars 9.0%)
Lights and electrics2.3% (all cars 11.3%)
Exhaust and emissions1.1% (all cars 3.1%)
Number plates and VIN1.0% (all cars 0.4%)
Visibility0.8% (all cars 4.8%)
Brakes0.4% (all cars 6.8%)
Wheels0.2% (all cars 0.4%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Coil spring: fractured or broken 2.2%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 1.9%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.1%
Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.0%
Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements 0.9%
Headlamp aim: too high 0.7%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 0.5%
Suspension arms, ball joint: ball joint excessively worn 0.5%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 11.5%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 2.3%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 2.1%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 2.0%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.6%
Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 0.9%
Brake pads: wearing thin 0.8%
Coil spring: corroded 0.7%

Pass rate by year of registration

Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2016	723	87%
2017	1,206	89%
2018	1,412	89%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	13,356 miles
4 years	23,052 miles
5 years	32,875 miles
6 years	36,556 miles
7 years	38,407 miles

Check a particular M2

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.