BMW 120 MOT Pass Rate
78.9% of 17,745 BMW 120 MOT tests pass.
The 120 passes 78.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all BMW models (84.8%).
The BMW 120's pass rate of 78.9% is in line with the national average for cars, at 78.3%.
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 91.5% at 3–6 years to 73.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (21) | 21 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 91.5% | 872 | 42,159 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.4% | 4,735 | 74,866 miles |
| 10–15 years | 76.7% | 6,320 | 104,750 miles |
| 15+ years | 73.3% | 5,797 | 126,382 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW 120
The most common reason the BMW 120 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 44.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.8% | not working |
| Suspension | 32.2% | has a serious fluid leak |
| Tyres | 31.7% | tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 31.3% | less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 15.9% | provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.1% | inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.4% | system insecure |
| Road Wheels | 5.2% | fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.9% | warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.6% | ball joint has excessive play |