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
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 87.1% | 21,899 |
| Petrol | 89.1% | 18,080 |
| All BMW 320 | 88% | 39,982 |
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. 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.
Other BMW 320 fuel types
- Petrol BMW 320 - 89.1%