Executive car · 2016–2021 cars
BMW M2 reliability
The BMW M2 fails 9.3% of first MOT tests, 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 17,199 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a BMW M2 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 41% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 17,199
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the BMW M2 ages
Each point is the share of BMW M2s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | BMW M2 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.6% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 9.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 9.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 5.3% | 25.5% |
By year
The best and worst BMW M2 years
2016 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a BMW M2
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.8%22% below avg
- Suspension2.3%8% below avg
- Lights and electrics2%47% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.8%269% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.8%17% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.6%82% below avg
- Brakes0.5%82% below avg
- Wheels0.2%6% below avg
- Steering0.1%74% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.28% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.22% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.74% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.66% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Number plate does not meet standards 0.43% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.34% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.31% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 8
Horn not working 0.27% of tests
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW M2's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.61%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.48%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.23%
- Brake disc pitted or scored1.22%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.01%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit0.95%
Before you buy
What to check on a used BMW M2
- 1
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.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
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.
- 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 M2 covers about 6,600 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
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Blue, Grey, Black, White, Orange
Average engine size: 3.0 litres.
Compare
How the BMW M2 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 | 11.4% | 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus GS | 19.4% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW M2 | 9.3% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S90 | 11.7% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S80 | 30.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 13.3% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz CLC | 42.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.
Questions
BMW M2 questions, answered
Is the BMW M2 reliable?
On MOT results, the BMW M2 is better than average: it fails 9.3% of first MOT tests, 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 12 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a BMW M2 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW M2 are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.28% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.22% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.74% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.8% of its tests.
Which BMW M2 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a BMW M2 do a year?
A typical BMW M2 covers about 6,600 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 M2 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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