2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 BMW 8 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

1,623 MOT tests in 2024. 84.5% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time84.5%
Failed or needed repairs15.5%
Typical mileage at test25,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,623 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.9%
    111 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.3%
    105 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.0%
    27 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
    18 marked dangerous
  7. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.6%
    13 marked dangerous
  8. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.6%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    12 marked dangerous
  10. Side repeaters: not working0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres14.5%
  2. Lights & electrics1.8%
  3. Wheels0.9%
  4. Number plates & VIN0.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.6%
  6. Body & chassis0.2%
  7. Suspension0.2%
  8. Brakes0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.0%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 8 SeriesAll 8 Series years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 8 Series?

In 2024, 84.5% of 2021 BMW 8 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,623 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 BMW 8 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 BMW 8 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).