BMW M140i MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 99 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 14.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW M140i MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW M140i is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 99 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% and a failure rate of 14.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW M140i earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW M140i presents for MOT with approximately 35,723 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2019 models achieve the highest pass rate at 91.9%, while 2018 models have the lowest at 91.7%. This 0.2 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW M140i is Tyres, affecting 11.1% 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 Noise, emissions and leaks at 7.1%. Brakes rounds out the top three at 5.1%. 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
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 | 11.1% | 11 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 7.1% | 7 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 5 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 4.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.0% | 3 |
| 7 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.0% | 2 |
| 8 | Non-component Advisories | 1.0% | 1 |
| 9 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 35,723 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 | 3.11 | 11.1% | 11 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.98 | 7.1% | 7 |
| Brakes | 1.41 | 5.1% | 5 |
| Visibility | 1.13 | 4.0% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 1.13 | 4.0% | 4 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.85 | 3.0% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.57 | 2.0% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.28 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.28 | 1.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW M140i has 35,723 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 M140i has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.95% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW M140i MOT Data
The BMW M140i is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 99 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% and a failure rate of 14.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW M140i owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on tyres and noise, emissions and leaks 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 M140i is likely to perform.
Tyres — 11.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 11.1% of MOT failures on the BMW M140i. 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 7.1% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 7.1% of MOT failures on the BMW M140i. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Brakes — 5.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 5.1% of MOT failures on the BMW M140i. 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M140i?
Based on 99 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the BMW M140i has an overall pass rate of 85.9% (14.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW M140i?
The top 3 reasons a BMW M140i fails its MOT are: 1. Tyres (11.1%), 2. Noise, emissions and leaks (7.1%), 3. Brakes (5.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW M140i reliable?
With a 14.1% MOT failure rate, the M140i is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW M140i?
Based on failure data, focus on: Tyres (11.1%); Noise, emissions and leaks (7.1%); Brakes (5.1%). 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.