2020 BMW 2 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
41,267 MOT tests on the 2020 BMW 2 Series are in this dataset, and 91.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (8.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests against 2.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 650 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.3% in the 0-30k band and 11.6% in the 120-150k band, a 4.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.8% of the time against 10.0% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 2,489 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 872 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.0% | 416 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 392 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 192 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 181 |
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 | 650 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 595 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 409 |
| 4 | Washers | 271 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 184 |
| 6 | Wipers | 165 |
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 | 20.0% | 8,240 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 3,076 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 2,140 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 797 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 420 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 278 |
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 | 23,434 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 15,219 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,196 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 330 | 10.0% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 31,737 | 8.8% |
| Diesel | 7,639 | 10.0% |
| Hybrid | 1,891 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 612 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 13,787 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 13,394 | 8.8% |
| 2025 | 13,454 | 9.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 2 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 many 2020 BMW 2 Seriess pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 41,267 2020 BMW 2 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 BMW 2 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.1%).
Does the 2020 2 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,267 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.