2008 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 540 MOT tests, the 2008 BMW Alpina recorded an 88.1% pass rate. That is 14.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and suspension (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and headlamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 10 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.9% in the 30-60k band and 17.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 17.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 27 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 22 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 14 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 8 |
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 | 10 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 9 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 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 | Brakes | 17.6% | 95 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 84 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.3% | 77 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 14 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 13 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 51 | 5.9% |
| 60-90k | 170 | 9.4% |
| 90-120k | 170 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 11.8% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 300 | 8.3% |
| Diesel | 240 | 16.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 107 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 113 | 14.2% |
| 2024 | 103 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 100 | 11.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Alpina
On a 2008 Alpina, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
- Suspension (4.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% 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 2008 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 540 2008 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by suspension (4.1%).
Does the 2008 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 30-60k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 540 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.