2018 · 6 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2018 BMW 8 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

211 MOT tests in 2024. 87.2% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time87.2%
Failed or needed repairs12.8%
Typical mileage at test42,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 211 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.8%
    12 marked dangerous
  2. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements1.9%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
    3 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too low0.9%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    4 marked dangerous
  8. Road Wheels - attachment: more than one fixing missing0.5%
    4 marked dangerous
  9. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.5%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    1 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres7.6%
  2. Number plates & VIN2.8%
  3. Emissions & leaks2.8%
  4. Lights & electrics1.4%
  5. Brakes1.4%
  6. Wheels0.9%
  7. Body & chassis0.9%
  8. Suspension0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.1%
  3. Flexible couplings: excessively deteriorated4.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 BMW 8 Series?

In 2024, 87.2% of 2018 BMW 8 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 211 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 BMW 8 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 BMW 8 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).