2020 Bmw M340I Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,461 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Bmw M340I Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 89.9% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.7% | 345 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 51 |
| 3 | Suspension | 0.8% | 37 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.6% | 28 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 23 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 49 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 33 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 29 |
| 5 | Washers | 18 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
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 | 11.3% | 503 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.6% | 163 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.2% | 142 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 72 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 25 |
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 | 2,199 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,027 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 220 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 126 | 6.3% |
| 2023 | 1,508 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 1,413 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 1,413 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 M340I Auto
Before buying a 2020 Bmw M340I Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.7% 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 (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (0.8% 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.
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 2020 Bmw M340I Autos pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 4,461 2020 Bmw M340I Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Bmw M340I Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the 2020 M340I Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,461 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.