24 models · 6,394,178 MOT tests
BMW reliability
BMW cars fail 20.5% of first MOT tests (all cars: 28.4%), 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. The most reliable BMW on MOT results is the BMW M5; the least is the BMW X2.
Ranked
Every BMW model, most reliable first
Ranked against cars of the same age and mileage, so a new model and an old one are judged fairly.
| # | Model | Type | Tests | Fail rate | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW M51998–2021 cars | Executive car | 16,546 | 11.4% | Better than average |
| 2 | BMW M31996–2021 cars | Executive car | 64,208 | 12.5% | Better than average |
| 3 | BMW M62004–2018 cars | Executive car | 5,792 | 10.5% | Better than average |
| 4 | BMW Alpina1996–2021 cars | Executive car | 5,437 | 16.1% | Better than average |
| 5 | BMW 7 Series1996–2021 cars | Luxury car | 71,877 | 15.9% | Better than average |
| 6 | BMW i82014–2020 cars | Sports car and convertible | 9,373 | 9.6% | Better than average |
| 7 | BMW X62007–2021 cars | Large SUV | 62,460 | 15.1% | Better than average |
| 8 | BMW M22016–2021 cars | Executive car | 17,199 | 9.3% | Better than average |
| 9 | BMW 6 Series1998–2021 cars | Executive car | 89,899 | 18.6% | Better than average |
| 10 | BMW M42014–2021 cars | Executive car | 53,667 | 10.5% | Better than average |
| 11 | BMW X52000–2021 cars | Large SUV | 346,009 | 19.9% | Better than average |
| 12 | BMW 5 Series1996–2021 cars | Executive car | 763,808 | 20.4% | Better than average |
| 13 | BMW 4 Series2013–2021 cars | Executive car | 386,143 | 14.1% | Better than average |
| 14 | BMW Z41998–2021 cars | Sports car and convertible | 123,418 | 22.2% | Better than average |
| 15 | BMW X42004–2021 cars | Family SUV | 60,273 | 13% | Better than average |
| 16 | BMW 8 Series1996–2021 cars | Luxury car | 14,733 | 10.9% | Better than average |
| 17 | BMW i32013–2021 cars | Small car | 63,376 | 11.7% | Better than average |
| 18 | BMW X12007–2021 cars | Small SUV | 319,477 | 16.4% | Better than average |
| 19 | BMW 3 Series1996–2021 cars | Executive car | 1,750,088 | 24.3% | Better than average |
| 20 | BMW X31998–2021 cars | Family SUV | 339,424 | 19.9% | Better than average |
| 21 | BMW 2 Series2002–2021 cars | Family hatchback | 384,200 | 14.3% | Better than average |
| 22 | BMW 1 Series1998–2021 cars | Family hatchback | 1,355,123 | 23.1% | Better than average |
| 23 | BMW Z31996–2021 cars | Sports car and convertible | 43,023 | 31.3% | About average |
| 24 | BMW X22017–2021 cars | Small SUV | 48,625 | 14.1% | About average |
Compare across every brand in the UK MOT Reliability Index.
Questions
BMW reliability questions
Are BMW cars reliable?
BMW cars fail 20.5% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, across 6,394,178 UK MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
What is the most reliable BMW?
On MOT results, the BMW M5: it fails 11.4% of first tests, 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age.
Which BMW should I avoid?
The BMW X2 has the weakest MOT record of the BMW range (about average for its age). Check any used one's MOT history before you buy.
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