BMW 125 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 125. Check any 125 by registration number below.

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85.9%

Avg Pass Rate

-4.0%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 125 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 125 has an average MOT pass rate of 85.9%, which is 4.0 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 125 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 125 fails its MOT are a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud. If you are preparing your 125 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 125, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 125 performs at MOT across different model years.

2019

Based on 87 vehicles

94.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

4.5%

Mileage at 5yr

76k mi

2018

Based on 252 vehicles

87.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

21.0%

Mileage at 5yr

66k mi

2017

Based on 1,320 vehicles

92.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

7.1%

Mileage at 5yr

75k mi

2016

Based on 1,491 vehicles

89.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

12.0%

2015

Based on 2,609 vehicles

86.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.7%

Retest Rate

12.7%

Mileage at 10yr

138k mi

2014

Based on 1,773 vehicles

83.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.4%

Retest Rate

16.8%

Mileage at 10yr

143k mi

2013

Based on 1,260 vehicles

81.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.2%

Retest Rate

18.1%

Mileage at 10yr

143k mi

2012

Based on 608 vehicles

84.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.0%

Retest Rate

14.8%

Mileage at 10yr

133k mi

2011

Based on 475 vehicles

87.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.9%

Retest Rate

12.5%

2010

Based on 803 vehicles

84.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.0%

Retest Rate

20.3%

2009

Based on 883 vehicles

80.7%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.6%

Retest Rate

23.9%

2008

Based on 1,486 vehicles

80.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

18.7%

0

Based on 5,304 vehicles

85.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

76k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 125

The most common reasons a BMW 125 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

2.5%

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

2.4%

A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud

2.0%

Warning device shows system malfunction

1.9%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

1.8%

BMW 125 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Rear

1.1%

Front

1.1%

Rear Nearside

1.1%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 125

BMW 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 125 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 125?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 125 is 85.9% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 125?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 125 are: A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5%), Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements (2.4%), A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud (2.0%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 125 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 85.9%, the BMW 125 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 125?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 125?

Typical mileage for the BMW 125: 75,974 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 125 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 125's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.