Diesel BMW 640: MOT pass rate

83.1% of diesel BMW 640s pass the MOT first time, measured across 9,031 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 78,384.

Diesel against the other BMW 640 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 640 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 86.7%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 83.4% 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 640 had covered 78,384 miles at test, against 62,444 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 640 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 640

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 1.2% of tests (19.71x the national rate for this defect)
2. A headlamp cleaning device inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID), 0.6% of tests (18.47x the national rate for this defect)
3. 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, 0.8% of tests (3.93x the national rate for this defect)
4. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.7% of tests (3.76x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.6% of tests (2.35x the national rate for this defect)
6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.6% of tests (2.16x the national rate for this defect)
7. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.6% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.1% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.3% of tests

From 9,055 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 640 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 640's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 13.33% 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 640

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

1. A transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated, 1.4% of tests (22.16x the national rate for this defect)
2. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1.4% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
3. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 22.6% of tests, also fails
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.5% of tests, also fails
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 6% of tests
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 5.4% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4% of tests
8. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.9% of tests
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.7% of tests
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.7% of tests

From 9,055 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 640 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 640 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 640 - 86.7%

All BMW 640 MOT data · Every model