2015 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 BMW Alpina passed 88.5% of its 393 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (16.4% fail rate), the 2015 Alpina comes out 5.0pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.6% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and registration plates — shock absorbers alone was recorded 10 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.8% once past 90-120k — 2.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 26 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 6 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 6 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 4 |
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 | Coil spring | 7 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 7 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 4 |
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 | 13.5% | 53 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 42 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.2% | 36 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.9% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 2 |
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 | 52 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 146 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 39 | 12.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 347 | 12.7% |
| Petrol | 46 | 2.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 76 | 10.5% |
| 2022 | 84 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 78 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 78 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 77 | 15.6% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Alpina
On a 2015 Alpina, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.6% 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 (3.6% 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 (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 2015 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 393 2015 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 2015 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 12.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 393 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.