BMW 228i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 228i recorded a 87.7% MOT pass rate across 3,184 tests in this dataset (model years 2014–2021), with tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension its most common failure areas. Its 12.3% 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 | 456 | 87.9% | 12.1% |
| 2015 | 1,590 | 87.1% | 12.9% |
| 2016 | 1,098 | 88.3% | 11.8% |
| 2017 | 37 | 91.9% | 8.1% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 194 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 115 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 74 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 60 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 56 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.1% | 34 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 21 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 17 |
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 | 61 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | Washers | 49 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 44 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 43 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 38 |
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 | 19.1% | 609 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 405 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 184 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.5% | 145 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 106 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 93 |
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 | 589 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,588 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 815 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 152 | 17.1% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 646 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 637 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 650 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 623 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 628 | 13.7% |
What to check before buying a BMW 228i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.3% 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 228i at MOT time?
87.7% of the 3,184 BMW 228i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate, worse than the 10.8% average across all 2 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 228i?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.6%).
Does the 228i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,184 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.