BMW 225i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 225i recorded a 91.9% MOT pass rate across 2,160 tests in this dataset (model years 2007–2018), with tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension its most common failure areas. Its 8.1% fail rate is lower than the 10.8% average across all BMW 2 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 52 | 88.5% | 11.5% |
| 2015 | 1,073 | 91.5% | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 722 | 92.0% | 8.0% |
| 2017 | 311 | 93.6% | 6.4% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 100 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.5% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 24 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 9 |
| 7 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 7 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 6 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 21 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 20 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 5 | Washers | 13 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 11 |
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 | 16.9% | 366 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 179 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 115 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 59 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 17 |
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 | 670 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,095 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 303 | 9.9% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 19.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 422 | 5.2% |
| 2022 | 428 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 439 | 10.5% |
| 2024 | 433 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 438 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a BMW 225i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (4.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.5% 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 225i at MOT time?
91.9% of the 2,160 BMW 225i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate, better than the 10.8% average across all 2 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 225i?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the 225i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.6% in the 0-30k band to 19.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,160 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.