Diesel BMW 320: MOT pass rate

87.1% of diesel BMW 320s pass the MOT first time, measured across 21,899 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 74,397.

Diesel against the other BMW 320 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 320 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 89.1%, and this diesel version sits 0.9 points below the 88% 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 320 had covered 74,397 miles at test, against 43,268 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 320 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 320

1. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.7% of tests (2.27x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.3% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.7% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.5% of tests
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.7% of tests
6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.5% of tests
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1% of tests
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 0.8% of tests
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.7% of tests
10. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.5% of tests

From 21,910 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 320 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 320's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.49% 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 320

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

1. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 33.1% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.9% of tests (1.23x 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, 4.6% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 10.5% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.8% of tests
6. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.5% of tests, also fails
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.1% of tests, also fails
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 2.7% of tests
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.1% of tests
10. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 0.8% of tests

From 21,910 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 320 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 320 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 320 - 89.1%

All BMW 320 MOT data · Every model