2009 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
525 MOT tests on the 2009 BMW Alpina are in this dataset, and 82.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.5% fail rate), the 2009 Alpina comes out 7.6pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.4%) and lighting & signalling (6.5%) 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 position lamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 22 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.3% in the 30-60k band and 16.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.4% in 2021 to 14.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.4% | 44 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 34 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.0% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.7% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 12 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 14 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 14 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 12 |
| 6 | Washers | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 24.0% | 126 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.4% | 123 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.5% | 118 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.9% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 19 |
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 | 55 | 7.3% |
| 60-90k | 107 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 129 | 19.4% |
| 150k+ | 97 | 16.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 426 | 19.0% |
| Petrol | 99 | 13.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 109 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 104 | 16.4% |
| 2023 | 101 | 16.8% |
| 2024 | 109 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 102 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Alpina
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 8.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 2009 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
82.1% of the 525 2009 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 BMW Alpina?
Suspension, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.5%).
Does the 2009 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 30-60k band to 16.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 525 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.