2006 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
383 MOT tests on the 2006 BMW Alpina are in this dataset, and 86.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 13.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.2%) and brakes (5.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.0% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 20.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 20 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.0% | 19 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 16 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.9% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 9 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.1% | 8 |
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 | 11 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 8 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 8 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.3% | 97 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.4% | 82 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.3% | 74 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 34 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.2% | 16 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 60 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 89 | 10.1% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 8.2% |
| 150k+ | 118 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 217 | 15.7% |
| Petrol | 166 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 14.3% |
| 2022 | 80 | 16.3% |
| 2023 | 75 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 73 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 78 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Alpina
On a 2006 Alpina, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.0% 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.
- Suspension (4.2% 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 many 2006 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
86.4% of the 383 2006 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 BMW Alpina?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by brakes (5.0%).
Does the 2006 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 60-90k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 383 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.