2016 BMW M2 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 BMW M2 passed 89.8% of its 3,933 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and suspension (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and catalyst emissions — coil spring alone was recorded 98 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 M2 fails 7.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.8% at 90-120k, a spread of only 4.0 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 182 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.9% | 113 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 85 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 41 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.9% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 98 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 75 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 63 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 52 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 6 | Washers | 30 |
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 | 15.1% | 595 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.5% | 179 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.6% | 141 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 90 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 80 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 76 |
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 | 1,392 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,077 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 429 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 816 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 781 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 802 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 776 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 758 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 M2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (2.9% 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 (2.2% 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 2016 BMW M2s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 3,933 2016 BMW M2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW M2?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by suspension (2.9%).
Does the 2016 M2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,933 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.