Diesel BMW 220: MOT pass rate

83.7% of diesel BMW 220s pass the MOT first time, measured across 11,141 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 68,780.

Diesel against the other BMW 220 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 220 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 87%, and this diesel version sits 0.9 points below the 84.6% 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 220 had covered 68,780 miles at test, against 51,520 for the petrol. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

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 220 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 220

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 0.8% of tests (13.69x 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 (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.5% of tests (2.63x the national rate for this defect)
4. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.8% of tests (2.58x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 5% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.9% of tests
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.5% of tests
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.4% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.4% of tests

From 11,170 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 220 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 220's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 9.01% 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 220

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, 1.8% of tests (1.73x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber which has negligible damping effect, 0.4% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
3. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28% of tests, also fails
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 10% of tests, also fails
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 9.8% of tests, also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 8.1% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7% of tests, also fails
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.3% of tests, also fails
9. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.6% of tests
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 2% of tests

From 11,170 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 220 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 220 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 220 - 87%

All BMW 220 MOT data · Every model