Diesel BMW 2 Series: MOT pass rate

87.4% of diesel BMW 2 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,436 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 53,438.

Diesel against the other BMW 2 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 2 Series specifically, petrol is the strongest at 88.7%, and this diesel version sits 0.9 points below the 88.3% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW 2 Series had covered 53,438 miles at test, against 42,825 for the petrol and 55,925 for the hybrid. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 2 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 2 Series

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 0.8% of tests (12.85x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber, 0.6% of tests (2.85x the national rate for this defect)
3. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.1% of tests (1.64x the national rate for this defect)
4. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.5% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.2% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.7% of tests
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.4% of tests
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.2% of tests
9. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.1% of tests
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.9% of tests

From 3,439 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 2 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 2 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.23% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 2 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.6% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 25% of tests, also fails
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 12.2% of tests, also fails
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 8.9% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6% of tests
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4% of tests, also fails
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 2.7% of tests
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.5% of tests
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.2% of tests
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.6% of tests

From 3,439 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 2 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 2 Series fuel types

• Petrol BMW 2 Series - 88.7%
• Hybrid BMW 2 Series - 84.8%

All BMW 2 Series MOT data · Every model