BMW 220 MOT pass rate: 84.0% (14,857 tests, 2025)
How the 220 compares
BMW 220
84.0%UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)
77.5% across 33.1 million testsBMW average (all models)
83.0%What fails most on the BMW 220
Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 220:
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1,263 | 30.7% |
| 2 | Suspension | 1,001 | 24.3% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 631 | 15.3% |
| 4 | Brakes | 542 | 13.2% |
| 5 | Visibility | 304 | 7.4% |
| 6 | Road Wheels | 218 | 5.3% |
Pre-MOT checklist for 220 owners
Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:
- Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
- Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
- 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
- Replace smeared wiper blades and top up washer fluid — both are test items
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
220 pass rate by registration year
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5,044 | 79.1% | +3.3 pts | 77,044 | |
| 2015 | 13,908 | 83.9% | +5.2 pts | 65,068 | |
| 2016 | 13,500 | 85.3% | +4.0 pts | 60,154 | |
| 2017 | 7,223 | 87.0% | +3.0 pts | 51,230 | |
| 2018 | 3,609 | 88.6% | +2.3 pts | 45,203 |
Check a specific 220 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
FAQs
What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 220?
In 2025, 84.0% of 14,857 first MOT tests on the BMW 220 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.
What does the 220 fail its MOT on most?
The biggest defect group is tyres (30.7% of its recorded defects), followed by suspension.
Is the BMW 220 reliable?
MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 84.0% it performs above the national average at a median age of 9 years and 67,285 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.