2016 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
345 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW Alpina are in this dataset, and 91.0% of them passed. That is 5.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 14.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.2%) and suspension (2.6%) 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 washers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 6 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 Alpina fails 5.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.4% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 18 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.6% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 6 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 2 |
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 | 6 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 3 | Washers | 3 |
| 4 | Wipers | 3 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 2 |
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 | 15.9% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 31 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 31 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.1% | 28 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 3.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 6 |
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 | 56 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 169 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 95 | 8.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 273 | 9.5% |
| Petrol | 72 | 6.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 6.0% |
| 2022 | 70 | 7.1% |
| 2023 | 72 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 67 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 69 | 10.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Alpina
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 (2.6% 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.
- Visibility (1.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2016 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 345 2016 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by suspension (2.6%).
Does the 2016 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 345 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.