2020 · 4 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2020 BMW 8 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

1,735 MOT tests in 2024. 87.8% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time87.8%
Failed or needed repairs12.2%
Typical mileage at test29,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,735 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.7%
    120 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.5%
    65 marked dangerous
  4. Headlamp aim: too high1.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    11 marked dangerous
  6. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.3%
    10 marked dangerous
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.3%
    11 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
    5 marked dangerous
  9. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres10.5%
  2. Lights & electrics1.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks0.8%
  4. Wheels0.6%
  5. Number plates & VIN0.5%
  6. Brakes0.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.2%
  8. Suspension0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.6%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.2%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. 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 2020 BMW 8 Series?

In 2024, 87.8% of 2020 BMW 8 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,735 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 BMW 8 Series?

The most common failure reasons were 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; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2020 BMW 8 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).