BMW M235i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW M235i recorded a 91.2% MOT pass rate across 6,835 tests in this dataset (model years 2014–2023), with tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes its most common failure areas. Its 8.8% 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 | 92 | 87.0% | 13.0% |
| 2015 | 152 | 86.2% | 13.8% |
| 2016 | 268 | 85.1% | 14.9% |
| 2020 | 2,855 | 91.0% | 9.0% |
| 2021 | 2,480 | 92.1% | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 943 | 92.3% | 7.7% |
| 2023 | 39 | 97.4% | 2.6% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 451 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 74 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.8% | 57 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 31 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 28 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.4% | 28 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 217 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 54 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 47 |
| 5 | Washers | 30 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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% | 1,365 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 607 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 274 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 125 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 52 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 27 |
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 | 3,962 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,583 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 260 | 16.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 143 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 1,150 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 2,305 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 3,161 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a BMW M235i
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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (0.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 M235i at MOT time?
91.2% of the 6,835 BMW M235i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate, better than the 10.8% average across all 2 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW M235i?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the M235i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 16.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,835 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.