BMW 225d — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 225d recorded a 87.6% MOT pass rate across 4,692 tests in this dataset (model years 2014–2019), with tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling its most common failure areas. Its 12.4% fail rate is higher than the 10.8% average across all BMW 2 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 794 | 85.8% | 14.2% |
| 2015 | 1,194 | 86.9% | 13.2% |
| 2016 | 1,073 | 87.0% | 13.1% |
| 2017 | 925 | 88.4% | 11.6% |
| 2018 | 561 | 89.7% | 10.3% |
| 2019 | 145 | 95.2% | 4.8% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.7% | 127 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 119 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 94 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 70 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.2% | 55 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.6% | 27 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 127 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 94 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 74 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 5 | Washers | 54 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 41 |
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% | 940 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 542 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 276 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.8% | 180 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 155 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.9% | 90 |
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 | 693 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,769 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,489 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 603 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 15.5% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 17.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 927 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 932 | 10.2% |
| 2023 | 946 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 947 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 940 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a BMW 225d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.6% 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 (2.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 reliable is the BMW 225d at MOT time?
87.6% of the 4,692 BMW 225d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate, worse than the 10.8% average across all 2 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 225d?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (2.7%).
Does the 225d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 17.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,692 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-06. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.