BMW M240i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW M240i recorded a 94.2% MOT pass rate across 1,064 tests in this dataset (model years 2016–2023), with tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility its most common failure areas. Its 5.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50 | 88.0% | 12.0% |
| 2019 | 40 | 90.0% | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 832 | 95.1% | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 83 | 95.2% | 4.8% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 21 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.9% | 9 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 5 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 3 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 2 |
| 8 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
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 | 27 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 3 | Washers | 7 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 6 | Headlamp levelling device | 2 |
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 | 12.1% | 129 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.4% | 47 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 13 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 8 |
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 | 831 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 204 | 8.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 97 | 3.1% |
| 2025 | 897 | 5.7% |
What to check before buying a BMW M240i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (3.5% 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 (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.9% 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 reliable is the BMW M240i at MOT time?
94.2% of the 1,064 BMW M240i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate, better than the 10.8% average across all 2 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW M240i?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.0%).
Does the M240i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,064 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.