2017 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 252 MOT tests, the 2017 BMW Alpina recorded an 89.7% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2017 Alpina comes out 2.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.8% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 Alpina fails 7.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.8% | 17 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.0% | 5 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 4 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.8% | 2 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 1 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.4% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 2 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 2 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 2 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 2 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1 |
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 | 11.9% | 30 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.1% | 18 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.4% | 11 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 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 | 64 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 117 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 5.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 196 | 9.7% |
| Petrol | 56 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 48 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 53 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 47 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 51 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Alpina
On a 2017 Alpina, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.8% 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 (2.0% 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 (1.6% 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 2017 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 252 2017 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by suspension (2.0%).
Does the 2017 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 5.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 252 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.