2011 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
477 MOT tests on the 2011 BMW Alpina are in this dataset, and 87.8% of them passed. That is 11.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.9%) and lighting & signalling (3.8%) 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 28 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 15.6% versus 6.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.9% | 28 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 18 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.1% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.1% | 5 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 3 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 9 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 6 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 6 | Wipers | 3 |
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 | 18.9% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.4% | 64 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 53 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 72 | 6.9% |
| 60-90k | 179 | 8.9% |
| 90-120k | 109 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 13.7% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 354 | 13.0% |
| Petrol | 123 | 9.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 96 | 14.6% |
| 2023 | 92 | 14.1% |
| 2024 | 99 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 89 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Alpina
On a 2011 Alpina, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.9% 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 (3.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.1% 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 2011 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 477 2011 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW Alpina?
Suspension, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.8%).
Does the 2011 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 30-60k band to 15.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 477 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.