2010 BMW 123 MOT pass rate: 75.8% (1,653 tests)
Is the 2010 123 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2010-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74.6% +6.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 76.6% +9.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 76.4% +9.6 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 2010 123
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 290 | 28.6% |
| 2 | Tyres | 233 | 23.0% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 199 | 19.6% |
| 4 | Brakes | 124 | 12.2% |
| 5 | Visibility | 73 | 7.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 26 | 2.6% |
All 123 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,382 | 73.1% | +8.0 pts | 129,186 |
| 2009 | 2,289 | 73.5% | +7.1 pts | 121,299 |
| 2010 (this page) | 1,653 | 75.8% | +8.4 pts | 114,877 |
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FAQs
Is a 2010 BMW 123 reliable?
2010-registered examples passed 75.8% of their MOT tests (1,653 tests, 2023–2025), +8.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 16 years old with a median 114,877 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2010 123?
The median tested example shows 114,877 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.