BMW 216 MOT pass rate: 80.9% (4,601 tests, 2025)

The BMW 216 passed 80.9% of its 4,601 MOT tests in 2025 — 3.4 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 9 years old with 76,836 miles on the clock.

80.9%Pass rate (2025)

4,601MOT tests analysed

76,836 miMedian mileage at test

9 yrsMedian age at test

How the 216 compares

BMW 216

80.9%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

BMW average (all models)

83.0%

What fails most on the BMW 216

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 216:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Suspension	466	27.1%
2	Tyres	351	20.4%
3	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	344	20.0%
4	Brakes	255	14.8%
5	Noise, emissions and leaks	132	7.7%
6	Visibility	120	7.0%

Pre-MOT checklist for 216 owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

216 pass rate by registration year

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2015	3,009	81.9%	+3.2 pts	78,138
2016	5,170	82.6%	+1.3 pts	73,104
2017	4,342	84.4%	+0.4 pts	61,968

Check a specific 216 before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other BMW models

3 Series77.7% pass rate · 346,191 tests 11883.0% pass rate · 151,434 tests X185.0% pass rate · 105,826 tests 11678.5% pass rate · 100,371 tests X383.1% pass rate · 88,755 tests 1 Series81.7% pass rate · 77,207 tests X582.4% pass rate · 76,168 tests 5 Series85.7% pass rate · 71,923 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 216?

In 2025, 80.9% of 4,601 first MOT tests on the BMW 216 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the 216 fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (27.1% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the BMW 216 reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 80.9% it performs above the national average at a median age of 9 years and 76,836 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.