2018 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
316 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW Alpina are in this dataset, and 89.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (11.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests against 2.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, side repeaters and headlamp cleaning device — headlamp aim alone was recorded 5 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.7% once past 60-90k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.9% | 25 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.6% | 2 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 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 | 5 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 4 |
| 3 | Headlamp cleaning device | 1 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 1 |
| 5 | Washers | 1 |
| 6 | Windscreen | 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 | 13.0% | 41 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 15 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.1% | 13 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 7 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 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 | 143 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 139 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 30 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 161 | 10.6% |
| Diesel | 155 | 10.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 61 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 68 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 54 | 1.8% |
| 2025 | 65 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Alpina
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.6% 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 2018 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
89.6% of the 316 2018 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.5%).
Does the 2018 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 316 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.