2019 BMW Alpina — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 289 MOT tests, the 2019 BMW Alpina recorded a 93.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and visibility (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 0.0% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 13 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.7% | 5 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 2 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 1 |
| 6 | Suspension | 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 | 3 |
| 3 | Wipers | 3 |
| 4 | Windscreen | 1 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 1 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 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 | 12.5% | 36 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.5% | 16 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.1% | 6 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 3 |
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 | 142 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 106 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 33 | 0.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 145 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 144 | 6.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 70 | 7.1% |
| 2023 | 73 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 69 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 69 | 7.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Alpina
On a 2019 Alpina, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.5% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.0% 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 2019 BMW Alpinas pass their MOT?
93.1% of the 289 2019 BMW Alpina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW Alpina?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by visibility (1.7%).
Does the 2019 Alpina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 0.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.