The picture
8 Series: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,913 MOT tests, the 8 Series returns 85.8% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a tyre with the cords showing. A seriously damaged tyre and a seriously damaged tyre round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 30,571, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A tyre cords visible or damaged
140 occurrences · 7.3% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
68 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
A tyre seriously damaged
63 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
25 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
21 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 06
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
13 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade defective
13 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
10 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
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
8 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 10
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
7 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a 8 Series?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 8 Series and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.