BMW M235I MOT failures and reliability

The BMW M235I is one of the stronger cars at the MOT: 90% of its 2,951 tests in 2025 were passed first time, 17 points better than the 72% for all cars. Half the BMW M235I cars tested were registered in 2021 or later, and younger cars pass more often. That ranks it 2nd of the 27 BMW models we cover. Every figure here comes from the DVSA's record of each BMW M235I MOT, so it shows what testers found rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2025: 2,951
First-time pass rate: 90%
All cars: 72%

BMW M235I MOT strengths and weak spots

The BMW M235I fails less often than the average car in every area of the test we measure.

It does best on lights and electrics, where 1.1% of BMW M235I tests failed against 10.7% for all cars.

BMW M235I cars first registered in 2022 passed 90% first time; those from 2020 passed 89%.

At 5 years old the average BMW M235I had covered 35,821 miles, about 7,200 a year.

The single most common failure on the BMW M235I was tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, on 2.3% of tests.

What the BMW M235I fails on

Share of BMW M235I tests with at least one failure in each area, beside the figure for all cars.

Tyres6.5% (all cars 6.3%)
Lights and electrics1.1% (all cars 10.7%)
Brakes1.0% (all cars 6.3%)
Visibility0.8% (all cars 4.4%)
Suspension0.5% (all cars 9.1%)
Exhaust and emissions0.4% (all cars 3.1%)
Wheels0.3% (all cars 0.4%)
Number plates and VIN0.3% (all cars 0.3%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2.3%
Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.8%
Tyres, condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 1.4%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 0.8%
Headlamp aim: too high 0.5%
Tyres, condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 0.5%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 0.4%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 0.4%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 15.3%
Brake pads: wearing thin 8.0%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 4.5%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 2.9%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 1.7%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 1.5%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 1.3%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged 0.8%

Pass rate by year of registration

First-time pass rate of the BMW M235I by the year it was first registered.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2020	858	89%
2021	1,100	91%
2022	847	90%

Typical mileage by age

Average BMW M235I odometer reading at the MOT, by age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	24,292 miles
4 years	33,088 miles
5 years	35,821 miles

Check a particular BMW M235I

The figures above tell you what to look out for on any BMW M235I. For one BMW M235I's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration for a free MOT check.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025, 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.