2017 BMW M2 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,632 MOT tests on the 2017 BMW M2 are in this dataset, and 91.7% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (9.8% fail rate), the 2017 M2 comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.8%) 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 coil spring, tread depth and catalyst emissions — coil spring alone was recorded 159 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 M2 fails 5.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.6% | 172 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 135 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 62 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.7% | 44 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.5% | 36 |
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 | 159 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 115 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 84 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 70 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 31 |
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 | 14.5% | 961 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.4% | 292 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 253 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 156 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 154 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.5% | 96 |
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 | 2,619 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,353 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 598 | 10.2% |
| 90-120k | 58 | 6.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,393 | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 1,364 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 1,302 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 1,267 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 1,306 | 8.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 M2
On a 2017 M2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.8% 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 (2.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% 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 2017 BMW M2s pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 6,632 2017 BMW M2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW M2?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by suspension (2.6%).
Does the 2017 M2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 6.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,632 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.