Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

BMW Alpina reliability

The BMW Alpina fails 16.1% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,437 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 99/100#5 of 40 executive cars

Checking a BMW Alpina before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 16.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 54% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 5,437; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW Alpina ages

Each point is the share of BMW Alpinas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW AlpinaAll cars

BMW Alpina first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW Alpina	All cars
3	6.9%	12.3%
4	7.5%	14.1%
5	9.2%	16.4%
6	12.9%	19.1%
7	12.6%	22.1%
11	15.1%	34.6%
12	15.9%	37.3%
13	18%	39.5%
14	21.4%	41.1%
15	19.2%	42.3%
16	19.5%	42.9%
17	17.1%	43.4%
18	16.9%	43.5%
19	17.6%	43.4%
20	20.4%	42.8%
21	19.1%	41.4%

By year

The best and worst BMW Alpina years

BMW Alpina MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019	247	6.5%	52% fewer fails	33,035
2018	238	6.3%	58% fewer fails	35,256
2016	234	13.2%	34% fewer fails	51,205
2015	281	13.5%	43% fewer fails	61,567
2012	205	10.7%	69% fewer fails	92,265
2011	301	18.3%	50% fewer fails	82,268
2010	352	14.8%	62% fewer fails	104,430
2009	349	21.8%	48% fewer fails	113,669
2008	368	16.8%	60% fewer fails	98,846
2007	566	22.8%	49% fewer fails	133,031
2006	264	18.2%	59% fewer fails	129,855
2004	260	16.9%	57% fewer fails	72,084
2002	228	21.5%	50% fewer fails	108,033
2000	218	18.8%	54% fewer fails	107,744

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW Alpina

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension4.9%61% below avg
Tyres4.8%27% below avg
Lights and electrics4.5%71% below avg
Brakes3.5%64% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.4%58% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%75% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%58% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.6%90% below avg
Steering0.5%82% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.62% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.21% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.14% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Headlamp aim set too low 0.99% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 0.88% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.85% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.83% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
8
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.66% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW Alpina's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit7.5%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.63%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy4.12%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.97%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.29%
Shock absorber light oil misting3.2%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW Alpina

1
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical BMW Alpina covers about 8,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel53.9%
Petrol46%
LPG0.1%

Most common colours

Blue, Black, Grey, Silver, White

Average engine size: 3.0 litres.

Compare

How the BMW Alpina compares with its rivals

BMW Alpina against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi RS4	15%	60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW M6	10.5%	59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW Alpina	16.1%	54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus ES	6.9%	52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi S5	16.9%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus RC	9.6%	43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi Allroad	27.8%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW Alpina questions, answered

Is the BMW Alpina reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW Alpina is better than average: it fails 16.1% of first MOT tests, 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 5 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW Alpina MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW Alpina are shock absorber serious fluid leak (1.62% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.21% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.14% of tests). By area, suspension fails 4.9% of its tests.

How many miles does a BMW Alpina do a year?

A typical BMW Alpina covers about 8,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW Alpina before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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