BMW 135i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 135i passed 86.9% of its 6,413 MOT tests, covering model years 1995–2023. That is 2.9 percentage points better than the 16.0% fail rate across all BMW 1 Series versions, so the 135i is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 223 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 6.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 150 | 90.7% | 9.3% |
| 2008 | 1,959 | 84.9% | 15.1% |
| 2009 | 875 | 85.5% | 14.5% |
| 2010 | 846 | 85.2% | 14.8% |
| 2011 | 995 | 90.0% | 10.0% |
| 2012 | 702 | 87.9% | 12.1% |
| 2013 | 537 | 89.0% | 11.0% |
| 2014 | 75 | 89.3% | 10.7% |
| 2015 | 101 | 86.1% | 13.9% |
| 2016 | 105 | 94.3% | 5.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 359 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.5% | 288 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.4% | 218 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 179 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 159 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.4% | 152 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 49 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.7% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 223 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 190 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 132 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 127 |
| 5 | Washers | 116 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 99 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.4% | 1,245 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.7% | 941 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 712 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 553 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.1% | 324 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 287 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 392 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,421 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,562 | 14.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,545 | 14.6% |
| 120-150k | 378 | 15.6% |
| 150k+ | 112 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,307 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 1,314 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 1,283 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 1,257 | 13.3% |
| 2025 | 1,252 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a BMW 135i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (3.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is the BMW 135i at MOT time?
86.9% of the 6,413 BMW 135i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate, better than the 16.0% average across all 1 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 135i?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.5%).
Does the 135i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,413 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.