BMW M140 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 128 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 6.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW M140 MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW M140 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 128 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.8% and a failure rate of 6.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW M140 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW M140 presents for MOT with approximately 41,468 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2019 models achieve the highest pass rate at 95.0%, while 2017 models have the lowest at 92.1%. This 2.9 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW M140 is Tyres, affecting 11.7% of all tests. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. The second most common issue is Brakes at 3.1%. Identification of the vehicle rounds out the top three at 1.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Best Year to Buy
📈 How Each Vintage Ages
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 11.7% | 15 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 4 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.6% | 2 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.8% | 1 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 41,468 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 2.83 | 11.7% | 15 |
| Brakes | 0.75 | 3.1% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.38 | 1.6% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.19 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.19 | 0.8% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW M140 has 41,468 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW M140 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 1.52% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW M140 MOT Data
The BMW M140 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 128 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.8% and a failure rate of 6.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW M140 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on tyres and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific M140 is likely to perform.
Tyres — 11.7% of failures
Tyres issues account for 11.7% of MOT failures on the BMW M140. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Brakes — 3.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on the BMW M140. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Identification of the vehicle — 1.6% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.6% of MOT failures on the BMW M140. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M140?
Based on 128 MOT tests in our database, the BMW M140 has an overall pass rate of 93.8% (6.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW M140?
The top 3 reasons a BMW M140 fails its MOT are: 1. Tyres (11.7%), 2. Brakes (3.1%), 3. Identification of the vehicle (1.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW M140 reliable?
With a 6.3% MOT failure rate, the M140 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW M140?
Based on failure data, focus on: Tyres (11.7%); Brakes (3.1%); Identification of the vehicle (1.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.