2008 BMW 123 MOT pass rate: 73.1% (3,382 tests)
Is the 2008 123 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74.3% +8.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 72.6% +7.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 72.2% +7.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 123
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 649 | 24.7% |
| 2 | Brakes | 518 | 19.7% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 436 | 16.6% |
| 4 | Tyres | 414 | 15.7% |
| 5 | Visibility | 173 | 6.6% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 155 | 5.9% |
All 123 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 (this page) | 3,382 | 73.1% | +8.0 pts | 129,186 |
| 2009 | 2,289 | 73.5% | +7.1 pts | 121,299 |
| 2010 | 1,653 | 75.8% | +8.4 pts | 114,877 |
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FAQs
Is a 2008 BMW 123 reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 73.1% of their MOT tests (3,382 tests, 2023–2025), +8.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 129,186 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 123?
The median tested example shows 129,186 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.