2018 BMW 8 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,237 MOT tests, the 2018 BMW 8 Series recorded an 88.0% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 9.1% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.9% of all tests — 7.3 points clear of other defects, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, headlamp aim and tread depth — registration plates alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 8 Series fails 10.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.0% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.9% | 110 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.6% | 20 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 18 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 13 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 35 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Attachment | 7 |
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 | 15.5% | 192 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.9% | 60 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 38 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.6% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 14 |
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 | 553 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 549 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 117 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,081 | 11.8% |
| Petrol | 156 | 13.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 242 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 263 | 11.8% |
| 2023 | 252 | 13.5% |
| 2024 | 231 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 249 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a 2018 8 Series
On a 2018 8 Series, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.9% 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.
- Other defects (1.6% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% 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 many 2018 BMW 8 Seriess pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 1,237 2018 BMW 8 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW 8 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by other defects (1.6%).
Does the 2018 8 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,237 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.